500 The Anasazi people lived in the region.
1300 The Anasazi people disappear.
1600s Native American tribes such as the Ute and Shoshone inhabit the land.
1765 Spanish explorer Juan Antonio de Rivera visits the area.
1776 Franciscan priests explore the land looking for a passage to California.
1821 Mexico becomes independent from Spain and takes control of Utah.
1824 Jim Bridger becomes the first European to see the Great Salt Lake.
1843-45 John Fremont leads two expedition through Utah.
1847the Mexican-American War.
1849 The Mormons found the state of Deseret.
1850 The Utah Territory is established by the U.S. Congress.
1857 2,500 enter Utah territory with the newly appointed federal governor.
1861 The First Transcontinental Telegraph is connected in Salt Lake City.
1869 The First Transcontinental Railroad is completed at Promontory Summit.
1896 Utah is admitted as the 45th state.
1919 Zion National Park is established.
1928 Bryce Nation Park was established.
1964 The Flaming Gorge Dam is completed.
2002 The Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City.