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The advanced scouting party first arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on the 22nd, followed by a larger group two days later. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on this date. By the terms of this treaty, the geographic area that would eventually become Utah came to be owned by the United States (along with several other areas, too). It was now up to the United States to choose what to do with their new land - and the people that lived there.
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The State of Deseret began meeting on this date. They were attempting to gain statehood and elected Almon W. Babbitt as a representative. Congress refused to seat him or hear his petition.
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Statehood applications in this period attempted to get the name "Deseret" as the official name of the state.
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Utah was created as a territory instead of a state - partially because the federal government holds much more control over a territory than a state. Created at the same time as New Mexico Territory and the State of California.
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Utah was a territory during this time period.
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Brigham Young was inaugurated as the first territorial governor on this date.
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Ending date approximate. The Utah Territorial capital was at Fillmore - the geographic center of the state - until everyone realized there was nothing in Fillmore and moved it to Salt Lake City.
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Utah's second attempt at statehood. After adopting a constitution, they sent a delegation to Washington. They wee advised to drop their petition.
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Exact date unknown. With the discovery of the Comstock Lode in Nevada, a large number of non-Mormons began to flood into the western part of Utah Territory. Congress slowly began dividing sections from western Utah to create the territory of Nevada for these settlers.
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The Utah War began when President Buchanan ordered troops to invade Utah. Photo: Albert Johnston, leader of the Utah Expedition.
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Exact day unknown. Following the discovery of gold near Pike's Peak, a large number of settlers began to flood into Colorado. This would eventually lead to the loss of the eastern section of the Utah Territory.
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The eastern segment of Utah was removed. It was combined with territory from Kansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico to form the Colorado territory.
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At the House of Representatives, Representative Bernhisel presented Utah's third constitution and request for statehood. The attempt failed.
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The Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act was passed in order to curtail the power of the LDS Church. It both outlawed multiple spouses and limited any church ownership in a U.S. territory to a total of $50,000. Lincoln chose not to enforce this law, trading this lack of enforcement for an agreement by Brigham Young not to get involved in the Civil War. The photo is of Justin Smith Morrill.
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The transcontinental railroad was completed on this date (or at least this is the formal completion). They drove a Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, Utah to inaugurate the new era of train travel. For the people of Utah, this tied them into the East and the West coast. Note that most people mistakenly think that the rails met at Promontory Point. They met at Promontory Summit - an important distinction if you're on the ground here in Box Elder County.
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The first political parties were established in Utah. Before this, there were not any real political choices. The Liberal Party was anti-Mormon and the People's Party was pro-Mormon.
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As in the past - rejected.
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George Reynolds challenged the legality of the anti-polygamy laws. On this date, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld these laws.
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This act redefined bigamy to included "unlawful cohabitation," thereby removing the legal necessity of proving a legal marriage contract existed. It also punished polygamists by removing their right to vote and making them ineligible for voting or jury service. Photo is of Edmunds.
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This act disincorporated the LDS Church - essentially seizing Mormon property. Also disenfranchised women in Utah Territory out of fear they would vote with their husbands.
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The petition to be made a state was still rejected later that same year.
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During this period, applications for statehood used the name "Utah."
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This time, the new constitution outlawed polygamy. The public generally regarded the attempt as false; Congress considered it but never acted for or against.
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Wilford Woodruff announced that the LDS Church would end the practice of polygamy.
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The Peoples' Party dissolved on this date. Members of the party were encouraged to join one of the national political parties, which held organizing conventions in Utah shortly thereafter.
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The Enabling Act gave Utah clear steps to achieve statehood - including "forever" banning polygamy.
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On this date, the delegates met and created the constitution that would actually be adopted. As required by the Enabling Act, it banned polygamy "forever."
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President Cleveland announced Utah as the 45th state.
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