1. 1850 - Salt Lake City becomes the capital of Utah Territory
On August 17th, 1850, Salt Lake City officially became the capital of Utah Territory, which had been established just two years prior. Originally, the capital was located in Fillmore, but it was moved to Salt Lake City due to its larger population and more central location.
2. 1863 - The Utah War officially ends
The Utah War was a conflict between the United States government and the Mormons in Utah, which lasted from 1857 to 1858. Despite no actual battles taking place, tensions were high for several years, and the conflict officially ended on August 17th, 1863, with the issuance of a presidential pardon for all those involved in the conflict.
3. 1878 - The first telephone exchange in Utah is established
On August 17th, 1878, the first telephone exchange in Utah was established in Salt Lake City. Prior to this, residents of the city had to use telegraph service to communicate over long distances. The first exchange had just 17 subscribers, but it paved the way for the widespread adoption of the telephone in the state.
4. 1895 - The first automobile is brought to Utah
On August 17th, 1895, the first automobile was brought to Utah by a local businessman named George Q. Cannon. The car was a Benz Velo, and it was used to transport Cannon between his Salt Lake City home and his summer residence in Holladay. The arrival of the automobile marked the beginning of a new era in transportation in Utah.
5. 2009 - The Crandall Canyon Mine disaster
On August 17th, 2007, a mine collapse occurred at the Crandall Canyon Mine in Emery County, Utah. Six miners were initially trapped in the collapsed mine, and attempts to rescue them were unsuccessful. Ten days later, a second collapse occurred, resulting in the deaths of three rescue workers and the original six trapped miners. The disaster remains one of the deadliest mining accidents in Utah's history.
5 Fun Facts About August 17 In Utah History
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