After their trek in the mid-1840s, Mormons led by Brigham Young founded Salt Lake City in Utah on July 24, 1847. The city was established as the capital of the Utah Territory and became a center for Mormon culture and religion.
The founding of Salt Lake City was a result of the Mormon pioneers' search for a new home after being expelled from Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1846. Brigham Young led the pioneers on a journey that became known as the Mormon Pioneer Trek, which covered over 1,300 miles from Illinois to Utah.
Upon arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young declared, "This is the place," and began planning the layout and development of the new city. The pioneers faced many challenges in establishing their new home, including harsh weather conditions and conflicts with Native American tribes.
Despite these challenges, Salt Lake City grew rapidly and became an important center for trade and commerce in the Western United States. Today, it remains a significant cultural and religious center for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also known as Mormons.