Scientists recently discovered a camp site from the ice age which means people have lived in Utah for over 12,000 years. Native American tribes that have lived in Utah are the Navajo, Ute, and Shoshone. The first explorers in Utah were the Spanish explores. In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain and claimed parts of Utah. Then the United States of America had a war against Mexico and it was called the Mexican-American war. The United States of America won this war in 1848 and claimed the land of Utah. Utah became the 45th state on January 4, 1896.