1. In 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed in Utah, marking a significant milestone in America's transportation history. The final spike was driven in Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the eastern and western coasts of the United States for the first time.
2. In 1935, American aviator Jacqueline Cochran set a new women's airspeed record by flying at over 292 miles per hour in a plane named "Prisoner of War". Cochran was born in Florida but lived in Utah for a brief period of time.
3. In 1945, Einar Ambursen became the first person in Utah to be convicted and executed by firing squad for the murder of his ex-wife and her lover. The execution took place at the Utah State Prison in Salt Lake City.
4. In 1976, the Utah State Historical Society dedicated the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, which follows the migration route of Mormon pioneers from their starting point in Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah. The trail is now part of the National Trails System.
5. In 2002, the 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay passed through Utah, with the torch traveling 13,500 miles across the United States. The relay covered a total of 46 states and was one of the longest in Olympic history. The 2002 Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City, Utah.