1. In 1870, the Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University) established the first professorship of agricultural engineering in the United States, solidifying the state's reputation as a leader in agricultural education and innovation.

2. In 1906, the town of Eldridge, Iowa was incorporated, becoming the first town in the state to be fully electrically illuminated, thanks to power generated by nearby coal mines.

3. On January 25, 1941, Iowa's famous "Field of Dreams" baseball diamond was established in Dyersville. The field was used for local games until it was immortalized in the 1989 Kevin Costner film of the same name, and it has since become a popular tourist destination.

4. In 1967, the University of Iowa's Writer's Workshop awarded its first MFA degrees in creative writing, marking the beginning of a program that has since become one of the most prestigious in the country, producing many notable authors and poets.

5. On January 25, 1991, a devastating fire destroyed two-thirds of downtown Spencer, Iowa, including many historic buildings and businesses. The community rallied together to rebuild and revitalize the area, and today Spencer is a thriving town with a bustling downtown district.