Pioneer Day: Utah's Victorian History

Pioneer Day: Utah’s Victorian History

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Utah has strong pioneer (and Old West) history. An annual state holiday celebrates Utah’s Victorian Pioneer Era.

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Kristin Holt | Pioneer Day: Utah's Victorian History. "Crossing the Mississippi on the Ice" by C.C.A. Christensen -- Brigham Young University Museum of Art. [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

“Crossing the Mississippi on the Ice” by C.C.A. Christensen — Brigham Young University Museum of Art. [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

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Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the U.S. state of Utah, with some celebrations in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois, and other locations in the eastern United States.

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…While the holiday has strong links to the LDS Church, it is officially a celebration of everyone, regardless of faith and nationality, who emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era, which is generally considered to have ended with the 1869 arrival of the transcontinental railroad. Notable non-LDS American pioneers from this period include Episcopal Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle, who was responsible for Utah’s first non-Mormon schools (Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s) and first public hospital (St. Mark’s) in the late 1800s. The Intertribal Powwow at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City honors the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the area’s Native Americans, helping Utahns [sic] to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s history.

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~ Wikipedia, Pioneer Day (Utah) page

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Kristin Holt | Pioneer Day: Utah's Victorian History. Re-enactment of Mormon pioneers in the 1912 Pioneer Day Parade at Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, Utah. Photographer Shipler Commercial Photographers; Shipler, Harry Commercial photo taken on assignment, published circa 1912. [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

Re-enactment of Mormon pioneers in the 1912 Pioneer Day Parade at Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, Utah. [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

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Pioneer Day Activities include…

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…fireworks, parades, picnics, rodeos and other festivities throughout the state. Some people say that this day is celebrated in Utah with more zeal and pride than major holidays such as Christmas. Children take part in essay contests and projects about pioneers, while families enjoy the day with concerts and festivals. For the parades, some people may wear costumes that resemble clothes worn during the 19th century when Salt Lake Valley was founded.

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Pioneer Day is also celebrated in many parts of Idaho, where it is commonly known as Celebration Day. Family reunions are popular on or around July 24.

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~ Time and Date.com Holidays

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Kristin Holt | Pioneer Day: Utah's Victorian History. Holiday Dances to be held July 4th and 24th at Coalville Opera House. Advertised in The Coalville Times of Coalville, Utah, June 22, 1900.

Holiday Dances advertised on July 4th and 24th at Coalville Opera House. Published in The Coalville Times of Coalville, Utah, June 22, 1900.

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Kristin Holt | Pioneer Day: Utah's Victorian History. "Pioneers Crossing the Plains of Nebraska" by C.C.A. Christensen - Brigham Young University Museum of Art. [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

“Pioneers Crossing the Plains of Nebraska” by C.C.A. Christensen – Brigham Young University Museum of Art. [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

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According to Wikipedia, seven different “Pioneer Day(s)” occur officially in the United States:

Utah: Pioneer Day
Chico, California: Pioneer Days
Ohio: Pioneer Days
Oklahoma: Pioneer Days
Paso Robles, California: Pioneer Days
Marlinton, West Virginia: Pioneer Days
Henry, Tennessee: Pioneer Days

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Kristin Holt | Pioneer Day: Utah's Victorian History. Indian teams hauling 60 miles to market the 1100 bushels of wheat raised by the school at Seger Colony, Oklahoma Territory, circa 1900. Image shows a long (covered) wagon train, with men mounted on horses, people walking. [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

Indian teams hauling 60 miles to market the 1100 bushels of wheat raised by the school at Seger Colony, Oklahoma Territory. Circa 1900. Image shows a long (covered) wagon train, with men mounted on horses and people walking. [Image: Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia]

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Recommended Sites:

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