History & Celebrations Today – July 24

Celebrations Today – July 24

Holidays and observances

Celebrations Today – USA: July 24

National Thermal Engineer Day
National Tequila Day
National Drive-Thru Day
National Cousins Day
National Amelia Earhart Day
National Tell an Old Joke Day
National Pioneer Day

Today in US History: July 24

Pioneer Day

Brigham Young
Brigham Young,
seated in [United States Capitol] rotunda,
Washington, D.C.
Theodor Horydczak, photographer,
circa 1920-1950.
Washington As It Was: Photographs by Theodor Horydczak, 1923-1959

Completing a treacherous thousand-mile exodus, an ill and exhausted Brigham Young and fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints arrived in Utah’s Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The Mormon pioneers viewed their arrival as the founding of a Mormon homeland, hence Pioneer Day. The Mormons, as they were commonly known, left their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, and journeyed West seeking refuge from religious persecution. The final impetus for their trek was the murder of founder and prophet Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844.

Determined to settle in an isolated region, the pioneers made their way across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains to Utah. They lost many of their party to disease during the winter months. By the time that they reached Utah, the desolate valley was a welcome sight. Potatoes and turnips were soon planted, and a dam was built. With solemn ceremonies, the settlers consecrated the two-square-mile city, and sent back word that the “promised land” had been found. By the end of 1847, nearly 2,000 Mormons had settled in the Salt Lake Valley.

Map of Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah,
H. Wellge, panoramic map artist,
1891.
Panoramic Maps

Mormon Temple Grounds
Mormon Temple Grounds,
Salt Lake City, Utah,
L. Hollard, photographer,
1912.
Taking the Long View: Panoramic Photographs, 1851-1991

July 24 is still celebrated as Pioneer Day in Utah and several other Western states. The bravery of the original settlers and their strength of character and physical endurance is commemorated with festivities including games and music, speeches, parades, rodeos, and picnics.

The following American Memory collections contain perspectives on the Mormon church:

Today in History – July 24-External Links

Today’s Weather in History
Today in Earthquake History
This Day in Naval History
Today’s Document from the National Archives
Today’s Events, Births & Deaths –Wikipedia
Today in History by AP
On this Day -1950 to 2005 – Today’s Story–BBC
On This Day: The New York Times
This Day in History –History.com
Today in Canadian History – Canada Channel
History of Britain that took place On This Day
Russia in History –Russiapedia