Houston's Astrodome was nicknamed the "eighth wonder of the world" when it opened 53 years ago in April 1965. It was the first of its kind: a massive air-conditioned stadium with a roof. The famous venue is about to be renovated and turned into an event center, but fans can get one last look inside during a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chron.com%2Fnews%2Fhouston-texas%2Fhouston%2Farticle%2FAstrodome-Conservancy-Harris-County-announces-12766757.php" target="_blank" target="_blank">"domecoming" event</a> on Monday, April 9. Here's a look back at some memorable events the Astrodome once hosted.
Houston's Astrodome was nicknamed the "eighth wonder of the world" when it opened 53 years ago in April 1965. It was the first of its kind: a massive air-conditioned stadium with a roof. The famous venue is about to be renovated and turned into an event center, but fans can get one last look inside during a "domecoming" event on Monday, April 9. Here's a look back at some memorable events the Astrodome once hosted.
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Groundskeepers wear spacesuit uniforms as they prepare for the Astrodome's first baseball game on April 12, 1965. The structure, with an inside height of 208 feet, has sat mostly empty since the Houston Astros left for a more modern stadium in 1999.
Groundskeepers wear spacesuit uniforms as they prepare for the Astrodome's first baseball game on April 12, 1965. The structure, with an inside height of 208 feet, has sat mostly empty since the Houston Astros left for a more modern stadium in 1999.
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Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, right, faces Cleveland Williams on November 14, 1966. Ali successfully defended his title as the world heavyweight champion.
Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, right, faces Cleveland Williams on November 14, 1966. Ali successfully defended his title as the world heavyweight champion.
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Houston's Elvin Hayes goes for a jump shot against UCLA in what became known as "The Game of the Century." The NCAA basketball game, played on January 20, 1968, was the first regular-season game broadcast in prime time on national television. It was also the first basketball game at the Astrodome.
Houston's Elvin Hayes goes for a jump shot against UCLA in what became known as "The Game of the Century." The NCAA basketball game, played on January 20, 1968, was the first regular-season game broadcast in prime time on national television. It was also the first basketball game at the Astrodome.
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Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong addresses thousands jammed into the Astrodome on August 16, 1969. The event celebrated the successful US mission to the moon.
Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong addresses thousands jammed into the Astrodome on August 16, 1969. The event celebrated the successful US mission to the moon.
AP
Elvis Presley thrills an Astrodome crowd during a show in February 1970.
Elvis Presley thrills an Astrodome crowd during a show in February 1970.
Blair Pittman/HOUSTON CHRONICLE/AP
Tennis great Billie Jean King faces off against Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" on September 20, 1973. King crushed Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
Tennis great Billie Jean King faces off against Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" on September 20, 1973. King crushed Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
AP/File
Sonny and Cher perform at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February 1974.
Sonny and Cher perform at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February 1974.
Bill Clough/Houston Chronicle/AP
Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and bass player Glenn Hughes perform at the Astrodome in August 1974.
Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and bass player Glenn Hughes perform at the Astrodome in August 1974.
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Houston's Nolan Ryan pitches during a Major League Baseball game in 1980. Ryan, baseball's all-time strikeout leader, went on to become the principal owner and CEO of the Texas Rangers.
Houston's Nolan Ryan pitches during a Major League Baseball game in 1980. Ryan, baseball's all-time strikeout leader, went on to become the principal owner and CEO of the Texas Rangers.
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US President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush ring in the close of the Republican National Convention in August 1992. Bush would go on to lose to Bill Clinton in the general election.
US President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush ring in the close of the Republican National Convention in August 1992. Bush would go on to lose to Bill Clinton in the general election.
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Tejano singer Selena performs during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February 1995. She was murdered a month later by her fan club's president in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Tejano singer Selena performs during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February 1995. She was murdered a month later by her fan club's president in Corpus Christi, Texas.
John Everett/Houston Chronicle/AP
Craig Biggio, left, and Jeff Bagwell sit in the Houston Astros' dugout during the 1999 season. The Astros played their last game at the Astrodome on October 9, 1999, moving to the new Enron Field (now known as Minute Maid Park).
Craig Biggio, left, and Jeff Bagwell sit in the Houston Astros' dugout during the 1999 season. The Astros played their last game at the Astrodome on October 9, 1999, moving to the new Enron Field (now known as Minute Maid Park).
Steve Babineau/MLB Photos/Getty Images
The Astrodome houses thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in September 2005.
The Astrodome houses thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in September 2005.
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Rows of dirty, tattered seats ring the Astrodome in May 2012.
Rows of dirty, tattered seats ring the Astrodome in May 2012.
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