1. In 1846, the Mormon pioneers celebrated their first Christmas in Salt Lake Valley. They had been traveling for months and were eager to finally settle in their new home.

2. On December 24, 1865, the infamous outlaw and leader of the Wild Bunch, Butch Cassidy, was born in Beaver, Utah. Cassidy is known for his daring robberies and escapes from the law.

3. In 1914, the first Christmas Truce occurred during World War I. This momentary ceasefire allowed soldiers on both sides to come together and celebrate the holiday. Utah soldiers participated in the truce, sharing cigarettes and singing carols with their enemies.

4. On December 24, 1936, the Sun Valley Resort in Idaho opened its doors. The ski resort, owned by Union Pacific Railroad, quickly became a popular winter destination for Utahns and visitors from around the country.

5. In 1986, the world's first permanent artificial heart transplant was performed at the University of Utah's medical center. The patient, retired dentist Barney Clark, lived for 112 days with the artificial heart before succumbing to complications. The surgery paved the way for future developments in artificial heart technology.