History of Utah in Timeline

Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain West, bordering Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. It ranks 13th largest by area and 30th in population, with just over three million residents. Population is concentrated in the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, and Washington County. The western half of Utah primarily lies within the Great Basin.

1917: Simon Bamberger's Governorship Start in 1917

Simon Bamberger began his term as Governor of Utah in 1917.

1918: 29 Counties in Utah Since 1918

Since 1918, Utah has been divided into 29 counties.

1921: Simon Bamberger's Governorship End in 1921

Simon Bamberger's term as Governor of Utah ended in 1921.

1925: George Dern's Governorship Start in 1925

George Dern began his term as Governor of Utah in 1925.

1933: George Dern's Governorship End in 1933

George Dern's term as Governor of Utah ended in 1933.

1943: Alaska Highway Completion in 1943

The Alaska Highway was completed in 1943, before the completion of the 103 mile stretch of I-70 in Utah in 1970.

1949: J. Bracken Lee's Governorship Start in 1949

J. Bracken Lee began his term as Governor of Utah in 1949.

1957: J. Bracken Lee's Governorship End in 1957

J. Bracken Lee's term as Governor of Utah ended in 1957.

1962: "The Greatest Snow on Earth" in Unofficial Use in 1962

The slogan "The Greatest Snow on Earth" saw unofficial use in Utah in 1962, before its official adoption in 1975.

1970: Completion of I-70 Stretch in 1970

In 1970, the 103 mi (166 km) stretch of I-70 from Salina to Green River was completed. At the time, it was the country's longest stretch of interstate without services and the longest stretch of entirely new highway constructed in the U.S. since the Alaska Highway was completed in 1943.

1972: National Moratorium on Capital Punishment in 1972

In 1972, a national moratorium on capital punishment began in the US.

1975: "The Greatest Snow on Earth" Officially Adopted in 1975

In 1975, "The Greatest Snow on Earth" was officially adopted as a state slogan for Utah. It had been in unofficial use since 1962.

1976: National Moratorium on Capital Punishment Ends in 1976

In 1976, the national moratorium on capital punishment ended with Gregg v. Georgia.

1976: Start of Republican Dominance in Presidential Elections in 1976

Starting in 1976 and continuing until 2004, Utah was the single most Republican-leaning state in the country in every presidential election, measured by the percentage point margin between the Republican and Democratic candidates.

1977: Execution of Gary Gilmore in 1977

In 1977, Utah was the first state to resume executions after the 1972-1976 national moratorium on capital punishment ended, with Gary Gilmore being executed by firing squad.

1992: Last Time Republican Presidential Candidate Did Not Win With a Majority in 1992

In 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump carried the state with only a plurality, the first time this happened since 1992.

1994: No Democrat Has Won in Utah County Since 1994

Even though Utah Democratic candidates are predominantly LDS, socially conservative, and pro-life, no Democrat has won in Utah County since 1994.

1998: Church Expresses Concern about Republican Party Perception in 1998

In 1998, the church expressed concern that Utahns perceived the Republican Party as an LDS institution and authorized lifelong Democrat and Seventy Marlin Jensen to promote LDS bipartisanship.

2001: New State Slogan Approved in 2001

In 2001, Utah Governor Mike Leavitt approved a new state slogan, "Utah! Where Ideas Connect".

2002: Tourism Increase after 2002 Winter Olympics

Since the 2002 Winter Olympics, Utah has experienced an increase in tourism.

2003: Utah's Anti-Sodomy Law Invalidated in 2003

In 2003, Utah's anti-sodomy law was invalidated by Lawrence v. Texas.

2004: End of Period of Republican Dominance in Presidential Elections in 2004

March 10, 2006: "Life Elevated" Becomes New State Slogan on March 10, 2006

On March 10, 2006, the Utah Travel Council and the office of Governor Jon Huntsman announced that "Life Elevated" would be the new state slogan, replacing "Utah! Where Ideas Connect".

2006: Legislation Aimed at Banning Joint Custody Vetoed in 2006

In 2006, the legislature passed legislation aimed at banning joint custody for a non-biological parent of a child, but it was vetoed by the governor.

2007: Deer Valley Park City Ranked Top Ski Resort in 2007

Between 2007 and 2011, Deer Valley Park City has been ranked the top ski resort in North America in a survey organized by Ski Magazine.

2007: Utah Ranked Top State for Economic Dynamism in 2007

In 2007, according to the State New Economy Index, Utah was ranked as the top state in the nation for Economic Dynamism. This ranking was based on the degree to which state economies are knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, information technology-driven and innovation-based.

2008: Start of Yearly Decrease in Utah's Income Tax Rate in 2008

Beginning in 2008, Utah's flat income tax rate started decreasing by 0.05% points yearly from 5%.

2008: Utah's Republican Ranking in 2008

In 2008, Utah was the third-most Republican state (after Wyoming and Oklahoma).

August 11, 2009: Gary Herbert Sworn in as Governor on August 11, 2009

Gary Herbert was sworn in as governor on August 11, 2009, after Jon Huntsman Jr. resigned to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China.

2009: Utah Ski Resorts Top "Accessible" and "Best Snow" Lists in 2009

In the 2009 Ski Magazine reader survey, six of the top ten resorts deemed most "accessible", and six of the top ten with the best snow conditions, were located in Utah.

November 2010: Newsweek Article Highlights Utah's Economic Outlook in November 2010

In November 2010, an article in Newsweek magazine highlighted Utah and particularly the Salt Lake City area's economic outlook, calling it "the new economic Zion". The article examined how the area has been able to bring in high-paying jobs and attract high-tech corporations during a recession.

2010: Gary Herbert Elected in Special Election in 2010

In 2010, Gary Herbert was elected to serve out the remainder of the term in a special election, defeating Democratic nominee Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon with 64% of the vote.

January 12, 2011: New Regional Airport Opens in St. George on January 12, 2011

A new regional airport at St. George opened on January 12, 2011.

2011: Deer Valley Park City Ranked Top Ski Resort in 2011

Between 2007 and 2011, Deer Valley Park City has been ranked the top ski resort in North America in a survey organized by Ski Magazine.

2012: Gary Herbert Wins Full Term in 2012

Gary Herbert won election to a full four-year term in 2012, defeating the Democrat Peter Cooke with 68% of the vote.

2012: Utah's Gross State Product and Per Capita Income in 2012

In 2012, Utah's gross state product was US$130.5 billion, representing 0.87% of the total United States GDP. The per capita personal income for Utah in 2012 was $45,700. Major industries in Utah included mining, cattle ranching, salt production, and government services.

2012: Utah Returns as Most Republican State in 2012

In 2012, with Mormon Mitt Romney atop the Republican ticket, Utah returned to its position as the most Republican state.

December 20, 2013: Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Utah on December 20, 2013

Same-sex marriage became legal in Utah on December 20, 2013, after a ruling in Kitchen v. Herbert by U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby.

January 6, 2014: Stay of Same-Sex Marriage Ruling on January 6, 2014

On January 6, 2014, the Utah Attorney General's office was granted a stay of the same-sex marriage ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, while the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals considered the case.

September 2014: Utah's Unemployment Rate and Small Business Friendliness in September 2014

As of September 2014, Utah's unemployment rate was 3.5%. Also in 2014, Utah emerged as number one in terms of "small business friendliness", based on a study drawing upon data from more than 12,000 small business owners.

October 6, 2014: Same-Sex Marriages Resume on October 6, 2014

On October 6, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court declined a writ of certiorari, and the 10th Circuit Court issued their mandate, lifting their stay. Same-sex marriages commenced again in Utah that day.

2014: Increased Protective Laws for LGBTQ People since 2014

Since 2014, protective laws for LGBTQ people in Utah have been increasingly enacted.

2016: Trump Wins Utah with a Plurality in 2016

In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump carried Utah (marking the thirteenth consecutive win by the Republican presidential candidate) with only a plurality.

March 2018: Utah Passes "Free-Range Parenting" Bill in March 2018

In March 2018, Utah passed the United States' first "free-range parenting" bill, which states that parents who allow their children to engage in certain activities without supervision are not considered neglectful. Governor Gary Herbert signed it into law.

2019: Ben McAdams Represents Utah in Congress from 2019

Ben McAdams represented Utah in Congress, representing the 4th congressional district, based in Salt Lake City, from 2019 to 2021.

2019: Utah's Anti-Sodomy Law Repealed in 2019

In 2019, Utah's anti-sodomy law was fully repealed by the state legislature.

2020: Burgess Owens Defeats Ben McAdams in 2020

In 2020, Burgess Owens, a Republican, defeated Ben McAdams in the election for the 4th congressional district.

2020: Utah Ranked 3rd Easiest State to Vote in 2020

In a 2020 study, Utah was ranked as the 3rd easiest state for citizens to vote in.

January 4, 2021: Spencer Cox Sworn in as Governor on January 4, 2021

Spencer Cox was sworn in as the current governor of Utah on January 4, 2021.

2021: Ben McAdams Represents Utah in Congress until 2021

Ben McAdams represented Utah in Congress, representing the 4th congressional district, based in Salt Lake City, from 2019 to 2021.

2024: J. Bracken Lee's Governorship Noted in 2024

As of 2024, J. Bracken Lee (1949–1957) was the most recent of three Governors of Utah who was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

2024: Utah's Flat Income Tax Rate in 2024

For the tax year 2024, Utah's personal income tax is a flat 4.55% for all taxpayers.

2030: Projected Completion of Utah's First Nuclear Power Plant in 2030

The Blue Castle Project is working toward building Utah's first nuclear power plant near Green River, Utah, originally projected to be completed in 2030.