1. In 1826, explorer Jedediah Smith and his party became the first Americans to travel from the Great Salt Lake to California, passing through modern-day Utah on December 21st. Smith's travels helped establish important trade routes and paved the way for westward expansion.

2. On December 21, 1868, the University of Utah was founded as the "University of Deseret" by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret. The university has since become a leading institution of higher education in the Western United States.

3. The notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy was born on December 21, 1866, in Beaver, Utah. Cassidy became known for robbing banks and trains throughout the American West, and he became one of the most wanted criminals of his time.

4. December 21, 1933, marked the end of the nationwide Prohibition of alcohol in the United States with the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The repeal of Prohibition had a significant impact on Utah's economy and culture.

5. Many Utahns celebrate the winter solstice, which falls on December 21st, as a spiritual or cultural event. The solstice marks the longest night of the year and the return of longer days, and many Utahns participate in rituals, gatherings, or festivals to mark the occasion.