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The year was 1847 and the Mormon pioneers had just been through months of hardships crossing the American plains. On July 24, Brigham Young and company (the first of many groups to come) descended Emigration Canyon and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.
Young and other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began to settle in the Salt Lake Valley. Soon after, the land was full of crops, homes and businesses.
July 24 quickly became a celebrated day — Pioneer Day. The first official celebration occurred in 1849 when members of the LDS Church gathered at Temple Square, according to a BYU historical journal (download here) by Steven L. Olsen. In 1857 it became a statewide holiday, according to utah.gov.
Olsen wrote, “Pioneer Day was one of the most important expressions of Mormon identity.” He continued, “Although Salt Lake City hosted the main event, tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints throughout the Western United States participated in their own parades, devotionals, feasts, sporting events, and excursions.”
In 1857, celebrations were interrupted by the approach of Johnston's Army and the Utah War, according to Utah History Encyclopedia. The next few years Utahns gave little attention to the holiday because federal troops were occupying the land.
By the 1860s and 1870s, the Mormons were celebrating in full force. In 1880 there was a massive celebration on July 24, not only for the pioneers entering the valley, but also in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the LDS Church, according to the Utah History Encyclopedia.
Perhaps the largest celebration, and crowning jewel of Pioneer Day, was in 1897. The encyclopedia states, "They were celebrating not only the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the pioneers, but also the completion of the Salt Lake Temple, Utah statehood, and the virtual end of anti-polygamy persecutions."
Today, tradition still runs deep as Utahns celebrate Pioneer Day. Every other year (on even years) the LDS Church organizes a pageant — free to the public — commemorating the arrival of the pioneers.
The Castle Valley Pageant (Jul. 28–30 and Aug. 2–6) gives spectators a glimpse into the past by re-creating the settling of the frontier. From blacksmithing to farming and weaving to spinning, spectators can see what Utah was like in the 1800s.
Today, whether they're part of the LDS faith or not, many families choose to celebrate Pioneer Day. For some the day is viewed as a second Fourth of July (fireworks round two) while others attend rodeos, parades and pageants.
As you make plans to celebrate the 24th of July this year, take the time to attend a local event that will make you proud of Utah's heritage and keep tradition alive.