1. In 1847, Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley after a grueling trek across the plains. This event marked the beginning of the settlement of Utah by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2. On July 11, 1897, the Utah State Capitol building was completed and dedicated after several years of construction. The neoclassical structure has since been renovated and expanded multiple times, but the original building remains an iconic symbol of Utah's government.
3. In 1906, the first automobile race was held in Salt Lake City on a dirt track at the Utah State Fairgrounds. The race was won by local driver George Wall, who made history as Utah's first automobile champion.
4. July 11, 1911, was a tragic day in Utah history. A massive explosion rocked the Little Cottonwood Canyon mine, killing 26 miners and injuring many more. The disaster prompted improved safety regulations and inspired efforts to unionize Utah's mining industry.
5. The first broadcast television station in Utah, KSL-TV, began broadcasting on July 11, 1949. Since then, the station has become a leading source of news and entertainment for Utahns, with a reputation for high-quality journalism and community engagement.