| Pioneer Day | |
|---|---|
 Re-enactment ofMormon pioneers in the 1912 Pioneer Day Parade atLiberty Park, Salt Lake City, Utah | |
| Observed by | Utah, United States andLatter-day Saints worldwide |
| Significance | commemorates the first entry of Brigham Young and a group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847 |
| Celebrations | parades, fireworks, rodeos, and other festivities |
| Date | July 24 |
| Next time | July 24, 2026 (2026-07-24) |
| Frequency | annual |
Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in theU.S. state ofUtah,[1] with some celebrations taking place in regions of surrounding states originallysettled byMormon pioneers.[2][3] It commemorates the entry ofBrigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into theSalt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847,[4] where theLatter-day Saints settled after beingforced fromNauvoo, Illinois,[5] and other locations in theeastern United States.[6]Parades,fireworks,rodeos, and other festivities help commemorate the event. Similar toJuly 4, many local and all state-run government offices[1] and many businesses are closed on Pioneer Day.[7]
In addition to being an official holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is considered a special occasion by many members of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[8][9] On Pioneer Day, some Latter-day Saints walk portions of theMormon Trail or reenact entering the Salt Lake Valley byhandcart.[10] Latter-day Saints throughout the United States[11][12] and around the world may celebrate July 24 in remembrance of the LDS Church's pioneer era, with songs, dances, potlucks, and pioneer related activities.[13][14]
While the holiday has strong links to the LDS Church, it is officially a celebration for everyone, regardless of faith and nationality, who immigrated to theSalt Lake Valley during the pioneer era, which is generally considered to have ended with the 1869 arrival of thetranscontinental railroad.[15] Notable non-LDSAmerican pioneers from this period includeEpiscopal BishopDaniel S. Tuttle, who was responsible for Utah's first non-Mormon schools (Rowland Hall-St. Mark's) and first public hospital (St. Mark's) in the late 19th century.[16] The IntertribalPowwow atLiberty Park inSalt Lake City honors the cultural heritage and contributions of the area'sNative Americans, helping Utahns to gain a deeper understanding of the region's history.[17][18]
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The earliest precursor to Pioneer Day celebrations in Utah occurred on July 24, 1849,[19] when theNauvoo Brass Band led a commemoration of the second anniversary of the Latter-day Saints entering the Salt Lake Valley.[20]
The celebration of Pioneer Day in 1857 was interrupted with news of the approach ofJohnston's Army, heralding the beginning of theUtah War.[21] Immediately following the occupation of theUtah Territory by federal troops, Pioneer Day was sparsely celebrated.[22] Pioneer Day continually expanded into the surrounding areas as theMormon Corridor spread throughout theIntermountain West.[22] In 1880, Latter-day Saints commemorated theGolden Jubilee of thechurch's formal organization in 1830; tens of thousands of people in hundreds of communities participated in enthusiastic celebrations.[22]
In the years that followed, federal enforcement efforts of anti-polygamy laws (including the 1882Edmunds Act) resulted in greatly subdued celebrations.[22] The 1886 commemoration was particularly notable for itsmourning theme, with theSalt Lake Tabernacle decorated in black instead of the usually colorfulbunting, and theeulogizing of Latter-day Saints who were in hiding or imprisoned for polygamy offenses.[22] By 1897, the celebration included not only the 50th anniversary of the initial arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, but also the end of the polygamy issue, the completion of theSalt Lake Temple, and statehood for Utah.[22]
The centennial in 1947 and the sesquicentennial in 1997 were especially large celebrations in Utah. One writer indicated that the 1947 celebrations seemed to incorporate the entire year, with July 24 only being an apex to the events.[23]
The holiday generates a great deal of road traffic; Utah Department of Public Safety statistics states Pioneer Day has the second highest holidaytraffic fatality rate in Utah, with the earlier July 4Independence Day having the highest rate.[24]
The holiday has received criticism for its lack of inclusiveness for non-Mormons.[25] As a result, a small, growing contingent has started celebrating Pie and Beer Day instead of the traditional Pioneer Day.[26] Pie and Beer day is a play on words: "pie and beer" sounds like "pioneer". Pie and Beer Day was created as a counter culture alternative.[27][28]
Media related toPioneer Day (Utah) at Wikimedia Commons
