1. Iowa became a state: On June 30, 1846, President James K. Polk signed a bill admitting Iowa as the 29th state in the Union. Iowa had been a territory since 1838, and its statehood was a significant milestone in its history.

2. Record-breaking heat: In 1933, June 30 marked the hottest day ever recorded in Iowa. The temperature in Keokuk, Iowa reached a scorching 118 degrees Fahrenheit, causing damage to crops and putting stress on humans and animals alike.

3. A pioneer in education: On June 30, 1862, the Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University) was established. It was created to promote agricultural research and education in the state, and it has since grown to become a comprehensive research university.

4. A bridge disaster: On June 30, 1892, the Knox-McLean Bridge over the Des Moines River in Des Moines, Iowa collapsed, killing four people. The bridge had been built only four years prior, and its failure was a tragic reminder of the importance of sturdy infrastructure.

5. A baseball milestone: In 1970, baseball player Paul Ratliff hit a game-winning home run for the Cedar Rapids Cardinals, becoming the first player in Midwest League history to hit two grand slams in one game. The feat earned Ratliff a spot in the league's hall of fame, and it remains a memorable moment in Iowa sports history.