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502 BCE
Drought in the Great Basin
A major drought caused the Aztecs to migrate South into modern day Mexico. They migrated from the Utah region, to
Mexico where they permanently resided explaining the linguistic cross over between the two civilizations the Utes, and the Aztecs. -
1492
Christopher Colombus reaches the new world
1492-European exploration begins. Starting with Christopher Columbus, European explorers discover the new world. The new world being north and south America. Drastic changes for the world. The indigenous people see the most change as disease and colonization displace and kill thousands and thousands. -
Pueblo Revolt
The Pueblo Revolt- In an intense reaction to the harsh conditions put in place by Spanish conquest in the Southwest, Puebloians did not accept the forced culture and religion put upon them and rebelled against the Spanish by revolting and killing over 400 spaniards. This forced out the Spanish occupation in the south west. -
Governor of Mexico Spain forbids Spanish Explorers from going to Ute Lands
Spanish Governor Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon orders the ban on Spanish venturers from going into Ute lands. This included Northern New Mexico, Utah, and the lower Colorado region. This demand indicated that Spanish explorers could not speak, trade, or inhibit the Ute region. -
Spanish first go into the Great Basin region
The first Spaniard to reach the Colorado river. Juan Maria Antonio de Rivera explored the Southwest region and was the first Spaniard to make it to the Utah region. He was sent by the Spanish government to explore, and map out the land. -
Spanish Government Creates an Order to Stop Unlicensed Trading with Ute People
Spanish Officials created an edict to crack down on unlicensed trading between the Spanish and the Utes. Several trials had taken place in the following years convicting illegal trading mostly consisting of slave trading. This did not end slave trade in the San Juan region, but it stopped a lot of it. -
American fur traders reach the Utah region
Anglo fur traders from the United States enter Spanish territory. Fur traders enter the Utah region for economic prosperity. This leads to land disputes between the US and Spain. (foreshadowing the Mexican American War) -
Black Fur Traders
First Black fur traders arrive in Utah. These fur traders settled in Utah, however, had no plans of permanently residing there. James Beckwourth was one of the first, as he had personal relationships with other fur traders and explorers Jim Bridger, Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith. -
Canadian trappers enter the Utah region
The first Canadian trappers most likely entered what we now call Utah along Weber River. This is significant because it is before American settlers had come to the land. In fact, they looked to clean out the land in hopes that Americans would not be interested in said land. -
Canadians introduced to the LDS church
Canadians had their first introduction to the LDS religion. In Kingston, Phinease Young (brother to Brigham Young) brought the Book of Mormon to the Kingston people. This expanded as many Mormon missionaries made tracks to Canada to spread their religion throughout the 1830’s. -
LDS Church relocated to Nauvoo, Illinois
The LDS church and its members moved from Palmyra, New York to Illinois. It is often said that they moved simply because of religious persecution, however it goes a little deeper into the controversial practice of polygamy and how the New York state responded to its existence. -
The Great Basin gets its name
The Great Basin gets its name. An American Explorer named John C Fremont concludes on his second expedition to this region that there is no drainage to the seas within the lakes of Utah. Something that was unheard of in the United States. -
Jospeh Smith is placed in jail by Illinois officials
It is publicly released that Joseph Smith and the LDS church are practicing polygamy. Joseph Smith ordered that the printing press trying to release this information be destroyed. This then got Joseph Smith arrested and put into Illinois prison. -
Brigham Young approves new relocation of the mormon people
LDS leader Brigham Young approves the relocation of the mormons. They decide that Zion could be moved due to continued hostility between Mormons and the Illinois public. This decision ultimately came from the former prophet Joseph Smith being murdered by the Illinois people. -
Mexican American War begins
United States declare war on Mexico. Due to border disputes, The US congress sends military troops to expand US borders. This greatly disrupted and altered the life of Native Americans in this time period. Largely, the Navajo people in the Southwest. -
Mormon settlers reach Utah
Brigham Young and Mormon pioneers settle in Utah. This starts the beginning of the changing landscape of Utah, heavily populated by indigenous tribes. Now the Mormon settlers would somewhat overtake the land and its resources. -
Bullocks warm bathing Spring
A hot spring is used by the Mormons for the first time for a use of spiritual healing. This displays a cross over of cultural and spiritual beliefs between the Mormons and the Utes who had already populated that region. The healing waters was used to entice people into the Utah Valley region. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was passed by the US congress. The compromise was set up so that California and Utah would become free states, while amending the Fugitive Slave Act. From Utah's perspective, slavery was continued in the territory and was attempted to be hidden. -
The Act of 1852
Utah territory recognized the legality of slavery in law. Even though it was admitted as a free state, Utahns got around this by declaring that they were indentured servants who were traveling to California. -
Utah Territory legislature 1852 Act for The Relief of Indian Slaves and Prisoners
This act proposed Mormon settler families to purchase Indian children from Indian and Mexican slave traders, what some would say for humanitarian reasons. However under this act, it allowed these families to indenture the Indian children into working off their purchase price in the form of labor which sometimes lasted as long as twenty years. -
The Southern Utah Cotton Mission
Brigham Young commanded 50 families to trek down to Southern Utah to start a cotton colony. The focus was for the families to go to Washington Utah and start a cotton farm around the Virgin River as a water supply. -
Mountain Meadow Massacre
During the early years of the Mormon settlement in Utah, the federal government was suspicious of the conduct occurring in the Utah territory. Threatening to send federal troops, the Mormon church leaders staged a rebellion and ordered Mormon men and Paiute Indians to attack travelers heading to California. Over 100 people died because of this. -
Utah War
A short conflict with intermitted affairs occurred between The Mormon colony in Utah and the federal government. President James Buchanan removed Brigham Young from the governor and replaced him with Alfred Cumming. Expecting hostility, Buchanan ordered 2,500 troops to occupy Utah. These problems raised worries and partially lead to violent moments such as the Mountain Meadow Massacre. -
Goshute Treaty
The Goshute Treaty set up reservations where the Goshute people would live. This land was poor for agriculture and had little water resources. It also is extremely small compared to the territory they once belonged to. -
Silver in Utah
Silver and other valuable natural minerals are discovered in Utah by prospectors. While the Mormon church tended to stay away from mining colonies, Utah over the next 100 years would develop a large mining industry. These mining industries would attract a lot of outsiders for work, often individuals who the Mormon church had intended to keep out of their state. -
The Civil War ends
The end of the civil war and the passing of the thirteenth amendment. With that, slaves were freed and granted citizenship. However, far off in the west Native Americans living in United States territory were still being displaced, and put under slavery with no citizenship. -
Treaty signed to release captive Native Americans
On June 1st a treaty was signed between general Sherman and the Navajo population held captive. The treaty granted their freedom and allowed them to return to their homeland. It also recognized their sovereignty. Their homeland was cut to about ¼ the size, and the land was rather barren. -
Transcontinental Railroad is Completed
Transcontinental railroad is finished. In a ceremonial fashion, the last spike (which is golden) is put in at Promontory Utah. This event saw lasting effects on Utah for its economy. Beyond that, a lot of railroad workers resided in Utah for work. -
Black Military Regiments sent to Utah
Federal government created two black infantry regiments, and two black cavalry regiments. All these troops saw action mainly in the West. Native Americans called the black soldiers Buffalos because of their hair, and the name Buffalo Soldier was born. -
Interracial Marriage Between a White Man and a Chinese Woman
The first occurrence of a wedding between a Caucasian man and a Chinese woman in Utah. John Tip married Ma Coy in her Corrine restaurant. This is significant because intermarriage was not kosher and it was even illegal for a Chinese man to marry a white woman. -
The Panic of 1873
European stock markets were crashing and it caused a lot of investors to back out of railroad investments in the western United States. This caused a lot of stress and turmoil on Utahns as they were dependent on the agricultural industry. -
Brigham Young Dies
Brigham Young dies from a ruptured appendix. Brigham Young was the prophet of the LDS church during the critical years of moving it’s church and building a new civilization in Utah. With the death of Brigham Young, John Taylor became the new prophet of the LDS church. -
The St. George Temple was completed.
In a struggling colony, Brigham Young and other church officials allocated funds for the southern colony of Mormon pioneers to “hang on” in hopes that the area would soon be self-sufficient. Many projects were completed including the temple which took nearly a decade to build, and cost nearly half a million dollars. -
St. George Temple
Part of the Southern Utah cotton mission involved more than just economic independence. It also sought to establish a new colony for the Mormon church. In the first couple of decades, various building projects were built in Southern Utah including a courthouse, the Tabernacle, and St. George Temple. All were built rather quickly for the time, being just shy of ten years to complete all of them. -
Salt Lake City Bans Opium
Salt Lake City council passed an ordinance banning Opium dens. These civic leaders and the greater Mormon population of Utah saw the Chinese smoking Opium to be a great evil. Police found it difficult to track down opium sellers. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by the Federal government. This act put a ban on all Chinese immigration for a ten year period. Beyond this, it furthered legislation across the United States to discriminate against Chinese Americans. -
Edmunds Tucker Act
The Edmunds-Tucker Act was put in place. The act looked to prohibit certain practices being done by the LDS religion during this time period. Most notably, prohibiting the practice of polygamy. It also dissolved the corporation of the church, so land valued over 50,000 would be given to the federal government. -
Interstate Commerce Commission
The ICC was created to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states of the US. This was done in order to regulate railroad rates. This affected Utah as the railroad industry was vital to Utah's growing economy at this time. -
LDS church purchases Skull Valley
On June 14th, The LDS church purchased the Skull Valley land from John T Rich. This land would be the colony suited for the Hawaiian immigrants that looked to settle in Zion. They were already settling in the Salt Lake Valley but Woodruff Wilson and the higher ups of the church looked to relocate them to this isolated area. -
Skull Valley Workers Demand Higher Wages
The wage laborers working in Skull Valley began petitioning for higher wages. They were Native Hawaiians who had been converted to Mormonism and moved to Utah. After being relocated to the Skull Valley region, they worked as wage laborers for Mormon Business Owners to farm the land. They felt that the conditions were poor, and they were being underpaid. -
Ogden passes Laws Discriminating Chinese Immigrants
Ogden Society Standard writes about the Ogden Chinese legislation. The legislation was restricting Chinese immigrants from many occupations such as mining. Instead the new order made it so the Chinese in the surrounding area could only have occupations that “fit” them. -
Utah is Given Statehood
Utah becomes a state. For years congress declined Utah access to be a state. This was due to the understanding that the Mormon community that dominated the territory of Utah practiced polygamy. Once the LDS church renounced polygamy in 1890, The submission for statehood went through. -
Leprosy in Skull Valley
A spread of leprosy reaches the Skull Valley. Three cases of Leprosy had been reported on the ranch in Skull Valley. Those that were infected died, and news spread all throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Within reports, sentiments of severe ethnocentrism had been described in why the Native Hawaiians had contracted Leprosy. -
Greece ruled by Dominant European Powers
Turks defeat Greek in war and powerful states alike further impose financial rule over them. This is a leading factor in what pushed Greek emigrants out. With them leaving Greece, a lot of them ended up coming to America, and more specifically Utah. -
LDS Church Steps away from Colonization
President Lorenzo Snow and other higher ups in the LDS church decided to distance themselves from colonization projects. This went as far as Snow stating not to encourage members to move to Utah. Colonization projects still occurred by higher ups but they were not as publicized and encouraged. -
Carbon County Mine Strikes
n Carbon County, numerous mining camps led by unions laid down their tools and went on strike. They primarily went on strike for better wages but also sought more rights as a miner overall. A lot of the miners tended to be foreigners as cheap labor was in demand in these fields. Ultimately the strikes failed, and many workers were forced to depart. -
Crop Failure in Greece
The currant crop failed in Greece. In a pit of desperation, many families in Greece sent their young men to go to America in hopes of gaining riches that would be sent back to the family. This is significant for Utah’s history because a lot of these Greek immigrants ended up in Utah working in the railroad and mining industries. -
Mann-Elkins Act
This act was passed in order to regulate price increases by railroad companies. Before a price increase could happen, it had to be approved by the government. This was used in Utah in a supreme court case to not suffer from short haul price discrimination that was occuring to them. -
Labor Strike in Bingham
Western Federation of Labor called a strike in the Bingham copper mines. Greek immigrants who made up a large portion of the workers, only joined in promise that Skliris (labor agent) would be removed from his job. The bloody labor strike failed, but Skliris was kicked out of Utah. -
Native Hawaiians are Commanded to go back to Hawaii
Joseph F. Smith announced that a temple would be built in Hawaii. Smith then commanded the Native Hawaiians residing in Skull Valley to return to Hawaii for this. For many this meant abandoning their home that they have gotten emotionally attached to. Race was an important factor as no other migrant group was asked to repatriate. -
Democrats Gain State Power in Utah for the First Time
Newly elected democratic governor Simon Bamberger advocated for regulated railroads and public commissions. Railroad regulation was a big point of contention in the political world as monopolies were charging high rates that were seen as unjust. -
US Federal Goverment Seizes all Railroad Power for WWI.
With the US joining in World War One, President Wilson used his emergency powers to take over all the railroads nationwide in order to fund and support the war effort. The government raised all shipping rates and salaries for railroad workers. -
Zion National Park
Zion National Park would be officially established as federal land dedicated to the preservation, and conservation. Utah is known for its vast diversity of physical geography and while Zion was the second one to be added, two more would follow within the next couple of decades. -
Prohibition Started
Federal law made it so the sale of alcohol was illegal in the United States. Within Utah, a famous brand named Beckers Brews made a transition into the soda and ice business which proved successful. Meanwhile, the Mormon church as a response to prohibition made it a temple ordinance that you must not consume alcohol in order to enter. -
Cold War
While the official date on when this cold war began is debated, its effects on states like Utah are rather clear. Utah had become a hotbed for defense companies funded by the federal government in hopes of seeking innovation. The University of Utah developed advancements in graphic cards during the 70s and 80s. -
Indian Student Placement Program
This was a program set up by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to assimilate young Indians into Mormon culture and mainstream society. The system led to foster and adoption services run by the church in problematic ways. -
Indian Adoption Project
The Bureau of Indian Affairs teamed up with the Child Welfare League of America to create the Indian Adoption Project. The project would take Indian children from western states that “required adoption” and put them into non Indian families in the east. It is without saying that what the BIA thought was “required adoption” is problematic on its face. -
Pioneer Heritage
Starting in 1958 and continuing for the next two decades, Utah released several volumes of collections dedicated to the heritage of Utah pioneers. These tend to be seen as problematic as they have false information and misleading content. Because of the influence of the Mormon church on Utah, history can often be fuzzy. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act prohibits employment discrimination against anyone on the pretext of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender. Utah had many issues with segregation comparable to the South. Even with federal law, several Utah businesses discriminated against African Americans from employment and usage of said service. -
BYU's Canadian enrollment numbers
BYU register accounts on 505 Canadians enrolled. This is significant because it represents the Canadian presence in Utah that occurred long before the borders are today. It also insinuates a potential correlation between the Church funneling money tax free through BYU. -
The Peoples of Utah
Helen Zeese Papanikolas founded, edited and published “The Peoples of Utah.” “The Peoples of Utah” is a historical research series dedicated to showcasing the history of certain diverse groups in Utah. Papanikolas wrote the Greek section, as she was a daughter of Greek immigrants who lived in Utah in the early 20th century. -
Black People can Hold the Priesthood
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints allowed Black people to hold the priesthood. From 1849 to 1978 Black people could not hold the priesthood in the church. This was a point of contention within the church and the LDS position has changed as of 2011 that it was from 19th century racist ideology. -
The Indian Child Welfare Act
The act imposed restrictions on the adoption of Indian children to non Indian families. One of the main proponents of the act was the law that state courts must approve and alert the Indian tribes of an adoption taking place. However, tribal courts had the final say.