Pioneer Day

noun

, U.S. History.

1. a legal holiday in Utah on July 24 to commemorate Brigham Young's founding of Salt Lake City in 1847.

More About Pioneer Day

What is Pioneer Day?

Pioneer Day is a Utah state holiday commemorating the founding of Salt Lake City by Mormon leader Brigham Young in 1847.

Pioneer Day is primarily observed by Mormons, but it is widely known in Utah and is often celebrated with fireworks and parades.

When is Pioneer Day?

Pioneer Day is celebrated each year on July 24, the anniversary of the day in 1847 when Brigham Young and his followers arrived in the area that would become Salt Lake City.

More information and context on Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day commemorates the day in 1847 when Brigham Young’s party of Mormon settlers entered the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, which became a new homeland for Mormons and the center of the Mormon faith (officially called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Pioneer Day was first celebrated in 1849. It’s also celebrated by some Mormons outside of Utah.

Pioneer Day is a Utah state holiday, and many people have off from work on the day, but it’s not celebrated by everyone. Some object to the celebration of settlers who forced Indigenous people off of their land.

Some people in Utah choose other ways to observe the day and refer to it, including with the name Pie and Beer Day (a play on Pioneer Day that’s intended to be a humorous, alternative way of celebrating on the day—by enjoying pie and beer).

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Pioneer Day?

• Mormon
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• pioneer
• Utah
• holiday
• Salt Lake City
• Brigham Young

How is Pioneer Day discussed in real life?

Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah that’s widely celebrated among Mormons. It’s a big deal in Utah, but not everyone celebrates it. Some object to its celebration due to the history of mistreatment of Native Americans.

Pioneer day is celebrated as a reminder of the Mormon pioneer history in Utah. On this day in 1847 the first group of Mormons moved into the Salt Lake Valley. They traveled across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains seeking refuge from religious and political persecution. pic.twitter.com/bFtVCDuEIl

— Capitol Reef NPS (@CapitolReefNPS) July 24, 2018

In Utah, Pioneer Day is bigger than the 4th of July. 😂🎇💣💥

— Mary Laké (@marybeth181124) July 25, 2013

We Utahns "not of the faith" joke about celebrating Pioneer Day as "pie and beer" day, but this story provides an important and relevant perspective. https://t.co/qjjQpvgZxZ

— Amy Maestas (@maeamy_co) July 24, 2020