1. In 1869, the final spike was driven into the transcontinental railroad in Promontory Summit, Utah. This connected the eastern and western portions of the United States by railroad for the first time in history.

2. In 1916, the National Park Service was established, and Utah was home to the fifth national park ever created - Zion National Park. Today, Utah is home to five national parks, seven national monuments, and numerous other protected areas.

3. In 1929, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. This was a pivotal moment in the women's suffrage movement and in the history of the United States.

4. In 1955, the first McDonald's restaurant in Utah opened its doors in Salt Lake City. Today, there are over 100 McDonald's locations throughout the state.

5. In 2007, Elizabeth Smart, a Utah teenager who was kidnapped and held captive for nine months, was finally found and rescued. Smart has since become an advocate for child safety and victims of sexual assault.