1. On February 9, 1864, the first central heating plant in Iowa was established in Dubuque. This allowed for large buildings and homes to be heated uniformly, improving living conditions during the harsh winters.

2. In 1894, on February 9th, a fire broke out at the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines, destroying the roof and causing significant damage to the interior. Reconstruction efforts lasted until 1904 and the building remains a stunning example of American Renaissance architecture.

3. February 9, 1965 marked the day that Reverend George William Young, an African-American minister, became the first black person to serve in the Iowa Legislature. He served as the representative for Des Moines for 14 years.

4. On February 9, 1888, Iowa State University became the first college in the United States to offer a degree program in electrical engineering. Today, the University is renowned for its engineering programs and research.

5. In 2016, February 9th marked the day that Iowa held the first presidential primary of the election season. The Iowa Caucuses draw significant attention from political analysts and media outlets, as they are seen as a strong indicator of how the rest of the election cycle will unfold.