Old News: Michael Moore invitation to Utah college 20 years ago sparked conservative backlash

The big picture: Oct. 20 marked the 20th anniversary of Moore stepping onto a stage at what is now called Utah Valley University.

Catch up quick: In 2004, the school's student leaders asked Moore to speak to their peers weeks before a contentious election between Republican President George W. Bush and Democrat John Kerry.

• The liberal Academy Award-winning documentarian had also just released "Fahrenheit 9/11," which was slammed by conservatives for its criticism of Bush and his handling of the Iraq War.
• The school is situated in a deeply religious and conservative county.

State of play: After the announcement, student and community protests, legal threats, First Amendment debates and a $25,000 offer from a wealthy neighbor to stop Moore's speech followed.

• Despite the backlash, Moore took the stage.

The other side: To balance the scales, the university invited conservative personality Sean Hannity, who waived his $100,000 speaking fee but asked the school to cover his private jet.

Worth your time: The dumpster fire is the subject of the 2005 documentary "This Divided State." (It's streaming on Prime.)

The bottom line: The tensions and divisions at UVSC, weeks before a presidential election, feel relatable today.