1. Utah became a state: On April 17, 1896, Utah officially became the 45th state of the United States. After years of conflict over issues such as polygamy and statehood, Utah was finally granted statehood.

2. The Pony Express began: On April 17, 1860, the Pony Express began its operation in Utah. The Pony Express was a mail delivery system that operated from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Utah played a significant role in this operation as it was one of the stops along the way.

3. The Salt Lake City tornado: On April 17, 1921, Salt Lake City was hit by a tornado that caused significant damage to the city. The tornado, which measured an F2 on the Fujita scale, caused widespread destruction and resulted in two fatalities.

4. The first Deseret News was published: On April 17, 1850, the first issue of the Deseret News, a newspaper owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was published in Salt Lake City. The newspaper continues to be published today.

5. The Great Basin National Park was established: On April 17, 1986, the Great Basin National Park was established in eastern Nevada, some parts of which are situated in Utah. The park, which covers an area of over 120,000 acres, is home to a diverse range of wildlife and provides visitors with opportunities for hiking, camping, and stargazing.