1. On June 6, 1846, the State of Iowa was officially admitted to the United States as the 29th state. This followed a long struggle for statehood, which began in the 1830s.
2. On June 6, 1918, the famous World War I battle of Belleau Wood began, in which a force of U.S. Marines fought a fierce battle against German forces. The battle marked a crucial turning point in the war and helped establish the reputation of the Marines as a military force.
3. On June 6, 1929, the city of Sioux City, Iowa was hit by a devastating tornado, which killed at least 89 people and injured hundreds more. The tornado caused extensive damage to buildings and homes throughout the city, and is still considered one of the worst natural disasters in Iowa history.
4. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy in France, began. Among the soldiers taking part in the invasion were many Iowans, who played a key role in the liberation of Europe.
5. On June 6, 2005, a powerful thunderstorm known as a derecho swept across eastern Iowa, causing widespread damage and power outages. Many communities in the region were left without power for days, and the storm caused millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses.