The Utah War of 1857-1858 was the unprecedented but now little-known armed confrontation between the U.S. government and the civil-religious leadership of Utah Territory. It

was prompted by the Buchanan administration's 1857 replacement of Brigham Young as territorial governor following nearly a decade of deteriorating relationships between Washington and Salt Lake City over power and authority in Utah.

A committee of distinguished volunteer historians from major universities, the LDS Church, the Utah State Historical Society, and other institutions as well as the private sector has formed to oversee activities in commemoration of the Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the Utah War. The purpose of the Sesquicentennial commemoration is to shed light on the causes of this conflict – which pitted nearly one-third of the

regular army against perhaps the nation's most experienced militia – as well as on its colorful operations and far-reaching impact. The commemoration seeks to do so in a balanced way that honors the participants while stimulating new knowledge about their remarkable experiences.

Presentations at a variety of history conferences, a book of new scholarship, a guide to Utah War sites, and other activities are planned as part of the Sesquicentennial observance. Please return to this site often to learn of new developments.