1. In 1863, the first national mail service in the Utah Territory began, improving communication for the isolated settlements.

2. On January 8, 1896, the Utah state constitution was ratified, leading to statehood later that year.

3. In 1916, a record low temperature of -69 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in Woodruff, Utah, making it one of the coldest temperatures ever recorded in the United States.

4. The controversial artist, Ed Kienholz, was born in Fairfield, Utah on January 8, 1927. He gained notoriety for creating unconventional sculptures using found objects and tackling taboo social issues.

5. On this day in 2002, the world's largest ski resort, Park City Mountain Resort, was created through the merger of two neighboring mountains, The Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort.