Utah became a state. (1)
Utah is recognized by the federal government and achieves statehood as the 45th state. Polygamy is explicitly banned in the state constitution. Women's suffrage is continued. (2)
[Utah Statehood] President Cleveland proclaimed Utah a state on an equal footing with the other states of the Union. The long battle for statehood was won, and most Utahns joined in jubilant celebrations held throughout the new 45th state. On January 6 state officials were inaugurated at impressive ceremonies held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. (3)
-- Jan 6, 1896
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] Gives patriotic address to celebrate Utah statehood. (4)
-- Feb 9, 1896
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] Sees smoking ruins of the Brigham City tabernacle when returning from Mantua Ward. (4)
-- Apr 6, 1896
LDS "Political Manifesto" issued at General Conference. (5)
Political manifesto issued publicly. (1)
[Quorum of the Twelve] Moses Thatcher is not sustained by the church and dropped from the Quorum. (6)
-- Jul 09, 1896
[U.S. Religious History] William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous Cross of Gold speech. (7)
-- Jul 19, 1896
[Quorum of the Twelve] Abraham H. Cannon dies. (6)
-- Jul 26, 1896
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] Attends funeral service of Abraham H. Cannon. (4)
-- Nov 5, 1896
Fast day changed from first Thursday to first Sunday of the month. (1)
The First Presidency formally announces in a letter that Fast Day will be moved from the First Thursday of each month to the First Sunday of each month. (8)
Footnotes:
1 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
2 - Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)
3 - Thatcher, Linda, History to Go, Statehood Chronology, http://www.onlineutah.com/statehoodchronology.shtml
4 - Larsen, Stan (editor), A Ministry of Meetings:The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson, Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 6, A Rudger Clawson Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City 1993
5 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
6 - Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)
7 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://bit.ly/Fwgbe
8 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
