1. Utah became the 45th state in the United States on January 4, 1896. January 26th marks the anniversary of Utah's statehood.
2. On January 26, 1847, Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, which eventually became the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
3. The first official celebration of Utah's statehood was held on January 26, 1897, exactly one year after the state's admission into the Union.
4. The University of Utah was established on February 28, 1850, but it wasn't until January 26, 1865, that the university was officially opened with the enrollment of its first class of students.
5. January 26, 2002 marked the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The opening ceremony included a portrayal of Utah's history and culture, and the lighting of the Olympic Flame by American speed skater Derek Parra.