1. On April 11, 1896, Utah officially became the 45th state of the United States. This was after years of negotiation and compromise with the federal government regarding the practice of polygamy by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2. In 1939, the first public water skiing tournament in Utah took place in Provo. Water skiing had only been introduced to Utah a few years prior and quickly gained popularity.

3. April 11, 1964 marked the groundbreaking ceremony for the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The facility opened two years later and has since hosted numerous events and conventions.

4. In 1970, the Utah Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert in the new Symphony Hall in Salt Lake City. The hall was designed specifically for orchestral performances and is considered one of the best in the country.

5. April 11, 1986 saw the grand opening of the Hogle Zoo's "African Savanna" exhibit in Salt Lake City. The exhibit featured a wide range of animals from the African continent and quickly became one of the zoo's most popular attractions.