1. Brigham Young becomes first governor of Utah: On November 17, 1851, Brigham Young was officially inaugurated as the first governor of the Utah Territory. Young had already been practicing many functions of a governor since the territory was established a year earlier, but this made it official.

2. The Utah War ends: On November 17, 1858, the Utah War officially ended with the arrival of a peace commission sent by President James Buchanan. The war had been a result of tensions between Mormon settlers and federal officials, and lasted almost two years.

3. First train robbery in Utah: On November 17, 1899, the first train robbery in Utah occurred near Green River. Robbers held up the express car and made off with $6,000 in silver and gold coins. The robbers were never caught or identified.

4. Salt Lake City and County Building opens: On November 17, 1894, the Salt Lake City and County Building was officially opened. The building served as the city hall and county courthouse until the 1980s, and now houses offices for Salt Lake City government.

5. University of Utah established: On November 17, 1850, the University of Utah was established as the University of Deseret. It was originally a private institution sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later became a public university in 1892.