Pioneer Day in Utah

In the early 1800's, decades before the Civil War threatened the cohesion of the United States, religious intolerance reared its ugly head in Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1844 religious terrorists worked themselves up to an act of violence and murdered Joseph Smith, founder and leader of the Mormon religion.

The Mormons packed up their covered wagons and pioneered their way to the promised land. On July 24, 1847 what remained of the original band of persecuted pilgrims rolled into Salt Lake Valley and settled in to stay.

Earliest Pioneer Day Celebrations

A year later there were over two thousand Mormon residents in the territory and the 'Day of Deliverance' was celebrated in the provisional state, then called "Deseret", until it became the State of Utah in 1896. July 24 is now a Utah state holiday and perhaps the most celebrated of the calendar year.

Brigham Young presided over the first Pioneer Day festivities on July 24, 1849. It began with a procession that led from his home to the site of the future temple. With band music to accompany the parade they reached the site and the speeches and prayers were culminated by a thanksgiving feast.

From that point on the Pioneer Day holiday was celebrated with only two temporary interruptions. During the 'Utah War' of 1857 when Federal troops occupied the territory the Pioneer Day celebrations were muted and again in the 1880's when many of the Mormon leaders were jailed or in hiding for practicing polygamy.

Modern Pioneer Day Festivities

Picnics and parades, rodeos and fireworks are typical of holiday celebrations throughout the west, but Pioneer Day in Utah adds a special feature. It is a statewide costume party with a 19th century theme.

During a week of special events there are contests for children involving essay writing and projects on the subject of pioneers, covered wagon parades, pageants, barbeques and even Mormon folk music to honor the pioneering spirit of the first settlers of Salt Lake Valley.

Pioneer Day in Utah

Celebrate July 24, Pioneer Day, in Utah. You will find the focus of holiday festivities in the Salt Lake City area but there are parties, dinners and even Pioneer Treks statewide.

Help salute three occasions in one, Independence Day in the form of freedom from persecution, a birthday celebration for the Mormon homeland and a Thanksgiving day to honor the first two. Join the festivities on July 24, Pioneer Day in Utah.

Reference:
www.media.utah.edu/
www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/pioneer-day
www.daysof47.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
www.ehow.com/
http://mormonism.suite101.com/