Pioneer Day - Definition and Overview

Pioneer Day is a holiday celebrated on July 24 in the state of Utah. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois and leaving other locations in the Eastern United States. Parades, fireworks, and other festivities also help commemorate the event.

In addition to being an official holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is considered a special occasion by many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Pioneer Day, some Latter-day Saints walk portions of the Mormon trail or reenact entering the Salt Lake Valley by handcart. Even Latter-day Saints outside of the US occasionally sing Mormon folk music around July 24 in rememberence of the pioneer era.