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Fifty states have been admitted to the Union. . .but none weathered the rejection endured by Utah.
Over forty years Utah made six formal bids to be admitted. . .and each was firmly rejected by Congress.
The issue most-often cited was the practice of plural marriage in the Utah Territory by members of the Mormon Church.
But in reality, the greatest concern was a perception of the role of church and state in this unique location. No other state had been settled, organized and developed over time around a religious commitment.
Utah was admitted in 1896, when a seventh try at a state constitution reflected congressional mandates on a free economy, separation of church and state, political freedom and an absolute ban of plural marriage.
Some waited longer, but none tried more often for admission.
It's a page from our political past. This year, your vote will help write the next chapter of Utah's history.
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Utah was finally admitted to the Union on January 6, 1896, and citizens of all ages celebrated with flags bearing forty-five stars.