Here are 5 interesting facts about June 15 in Iowa history:

1. In 1886, the first railway bridge over the Mississippi River opened in Clinton, Iowa. The Chicago & North Western Railroad built the bridge, which linked the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities region and facilitated transportation and trade.

2. On June 15, 1916, the iconic actress and singer Judy Garland was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Although not directly related to Iowa, Garland performed in several cities and venues in the state throughout her career.

3. In 1919, a tornado hit the town of Fergus Falls, Iowa, killing 57 people and causing widespread destruction. This tornado was part of a larger outbreak that affected several Midwestern states on that day.

4. During the Great Flood of 1993, the town of New Boston, Iowa, was hit particularly hard. On June 15 of that year, the Mississippi River crested at a record height of 24.25 feet, inundating much of the town and forcing residents to evacuate.

5. In 2021, on June 15, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that banned mandatory mask mandates in schools and other public places in the state. This controversial move sparked debate about public health measures and individual rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.