The History of Utah

The region now known as Utah was initially explored by Franciscan friars Escalante and Dominguez on behalf of Spain in 1776. It was in 1824 that the renowned American frontiersman Jim Bridger discovered the Great Salt Lake, a landmark that would shape the history of the area.

In 1847, seeking refuge from religious persecution in the East and Midwest, the Mormons arrived and began establishing Salt Lake City. The United States acquired the Utah region through the treaty that ended the Mexican War in 1848. A significant milestone in transportation history occurred in 1869 when the first transcontinental railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, marked by the driving of a golden spike.

The Mormon Church faced challenges regarding polygamy from the federal government, and it was not until 1890, six years prior to Utah attaining statehood, that the church officially renounced the practice.

Utah boasts abundant natural resources and has been a leading producer of copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, potassium salts, and molybdenum. The state also plays a significant role in oil and natural gas production. Notably, Utah stands as the sole producer of gilsonite, a pure form of asphalt utilized in various applications such as printing inks, paints, oil well drilling, and chemical products.

The state's agricultural sector thrives, with key commodities including cattle and calves, dairy products, hay, greenhouse and nursery products, and hogs.

In addition to its traditional industries of agriculture and mining, Utah has experienced a rise in tourism and the growth of aerospace, biomedical, and computer-related businesses.

Utah is a haven for vacationers, offering a wealth of recreational opportunities. With 11,000 miles of fishing streams and 147,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs, it is a paradise for anglers. The state is renowned for its breathtaking national parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Visitors can also explore impressive landmarks such as Cedar Breaks, Dinosaur, Hovenweep, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, Timpanogos Cave, and the Grand Staircase (Escalante) National Monuments. The Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City is another notable attraction, and the city itself hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Utah is proud to be the host of the internationally acclaimed Sundance Film Festival, one of the largest independent film festivals in the United States. The festival, held annually in January, attracts a vast number of attendees and serves as a platform for emerging filmmakers. In 2013, the festival received a record-breaking 12,146 film submissions and relied on the support of 1,803 volunteers.

After a period of 38 years in union with Massachusetts, New Hampshire became a separate royal colony in 1679. The state played a significant role in the American Revolution, with its delegates being the first to vote for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. In 1905, New Hampshire gained international attention when the Portsmouth Naval Base hosted the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War.

Abundant water power fueled New Hampshire's early industrial development, and manufacturing remains a major source of income for the state. The principal industrial products include electrical and other machinery, textiles, pulp and paper products, and stone and clay products. Agriculture in New Hampshire is characterized by dairy and poultry farming, as well as the cultivation of fruits, truck vegetables, corn, potatoes, and hay.

New Hampshire boasts several attractions for vacationers, such as Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest among the state's 1,300 lakes and ponds. The White Mountain National Forest, covering 724,000 acres, offers stunning natural beauty. Visitors can explore Daniel Webster's birthplace near Franklin and experience the restored buildings of the original settlement at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth. Unfortunately, in 2003, the iconic "Old Man of the Mountain," a granite head profile and the state's official emblem, fell from its perch in Franconia, marking the end of an era.