1. In 1867, the state of Iowa passed the "Exclusion Act," which banned African Americans from settling in the state. The law was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1873.

2. In 1910, Iowa City became the first city in the United States to recognize and celebrate Valentine's Day as an official holiday.

3. On February 8, 1930, the first flight landed at the Des Moines Municipal Airport. The airport has since been renamed to the Des Moines International Airport.

4. In 1976, the Iowa State Senate approved the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would prohibit discrimination based on sex. The amendment has yet to be added to the constitution.

5. On February 8, 2002, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved funding to construct a new state park near Pella, Iowa. The park, now known as Lake Red Rock, covers over 50,000 acres and offers hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities.