Happy Pioneer Day!!

Now that I am back in Utah, I have the privilege of getting to celebrate Pioneer Day! Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the State of Utah with some celebrations taking place in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. 

It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois, and other locations in the eastern United States.  Parades, fireworks, rodeos, and other festivities help commemorate the event. Similar to July 4, many local and all state-run government offices and many businesses are closed on Pioneer Day.

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 the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era, which is generally considered to have ended with the 1869 arrival of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Genealogy and finding my ancestors is one of my favorite things to do!!  Now that I am here in Utah I can go into Salt Lake City to the Mother-load of Genealogy knowledge!!

It will be fun to walk through the stacks and microfiche and just take in the history of millions and millions of folks!!

May we all remember our ancestors that came from all over the world and gave so much to help establish this wonderful country!!