1821 Mexico wins independence from Spain and claims Utah.

1824 General William H. Ashley sends trappers to northern Utah and Jim Bridger discovers the Great Salt Lake.

1826 Jedediah Smith leads the first overland expedition to California.

1832 Antoine Robidoux builds a trading post in the Uintah Basin.

1841 Capt. John Bartleson leads first wagon train of settlers across Utah to California.

1843 John C. Fremont and Kit Carson explore the Great Basin.

1844 Miles Goodyear builds Fort Buenaventura.

1847 First party of Mormon pioneers arrive in the Salt Lake Valley.

1848 U.S. wins Mexican War and the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo is signed which cedes Utah to the United States.

1848The U.S. Army begins exploration of present-day Utah

1849 The Gold Seekers Arrive.

1850 The Utah Territory Organized

1853 LDS Church begins the construction of the Salt Lake Temple.

1853 The Walker War with the Ute Indians begins over slavery among the Indians.

1854 Grasshopper plagues endanger crops.

1856-1860 Handcarts are used by the pioneers traveling to Utah.

1857-1858 The Utah War.

1863 Discovery of silver and lead  in Bingham Canyon.

1865-1868 Ute Black Hawk War last major Indian conflict in Utah.

1869 Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet on May 10 at Promontory.

1869 John Wesley Powell explores the Colorado River.

1887 Timpanogos Cave Discovered

1890 LDS Church President Wilford Woodruff issues the Manifesto ending church-sanctioned polygamy.

1896 Utah becomes the 45th state on January 4 and Heber M. Wells is inaugurated as the first governor.

1900 The Scofield Mine Disaster.

1900 - 1910 Famous Personalities during the decade 1900 - 1910

1919 Zion National Park Created.

1910 - 1920 Famous Personalities during the decade 1910 - 1920