1. In 1837, the Iowa Territory was established by an act of Congress, paving the way for Iowa statehood in 1846.

2. On February 25, 1959, the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all on board. This tragedy later became known as "The Day the Music Died."

3. In 1896, Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) became the first college in the nation to offer a degree in veterinary medicine.

4. On February 25, 1947, the University of Iowa College of Law admitted Ada Kepley, the first woman to graduate from a law school in the United States. Kepley had previously earned a bachelor's degree in music from the same university.

5. The Iowa State Capitol building, located in Des Moines, was completed on February 25, 1884, after several years of construction. The building is a prime example of the Renaissance Revival style of architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.