1. Utah's First All-Black Town Was Founded on August 8, 1867
On August 8, 1867, a group of 200 African-American settlers arrived in northern Utah and established the town of Benson. It was the first all-Black town in Utah and one of only a few in the western United States. The settlers had been invited to the area by Mormon Church leader Brigham Young, who believed that Black people had been unfairly treated in other parts of the country and deserved a chance to start anew.
2. The First National Park in Utah Was Created on August 8, 1916
On August 8, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act creating the National Park Service. Among the first parks established under the new agency was Zion National Park in Utah. Zion was designated a national monument in 1909, and its status was upgraded to a national park seven years later. Today, Zion is one of Utah's most popular tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year to its towering red sandstone cliffs and narrow canyons.
3. Utah's First Woman Mayor Was Elected on August 8, 1917
On August 8, 1917, Cora Snow became the first woman in Utah to be elected mayor, serving in the town of Kanab. Snow had previously served as the town's clerk and treasurer, and was widely respected for her leadership and community involvement. She went on to serve two more terms as mayor and was later elected to the Utah State Senate, where she advocated for women's rights and other progressive causes.
4. The Salt Lake City Olympics Began on August 8, 2002
On August 8, 2002, the Winter Olympics got underway in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was the first time the games had been held in the United States since the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Despite some early controversy, including allegations of bribery and corruption, the Salt Lake City Olympics were widely regarded as a success, with the United States winning 34 medals, more than any other country.
5. A Massive Wildfire Began on August 8, 2018
On August 8, 2018, a wildfire ignited in the mountains above Salt Lake City, quickly swelling to more than 20,000 acres and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. The blaze, known as the Pole Creek Fire, burned for weeks, consuming tens of thousands of acres of forest and threatening several small towns in the area. It was eventually contained in late September, but not before causing significant damage to wildlife habitats and recreational areas in the affected region.
5 Fun Facts About August 8 In Utah History
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