1. In 1882, the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines was destroyed by fire. The fire began in the attic and quickly spread throughout the building, causing extensive damage. The cause of the fire was never determined, but it led to the construction of a new, larger Capitol building that was completed in 1886.

2. On March 22, 1960, the small town of Elkader, Iowa was hit by a tornado that caused significant damage to the community. The tornado was part of a larger outbreak that affected several states in the Midwest. Despite the destruction, no fatalities were reported in Elkader.

3. The University of Iowa was founded on March 22, 1847, when the Iowa General Assembly approved the creation of the state's first public university. The university has since become a major research institution known for its programs in medicine, law, and computer science.

4. Iowa's first state park, Backbone State Park, was dedicated on March 22, 1920. The park is located in northeast Iowa and is known for its beautiful rock formations, hiking trails, and trout fishing.

5. On March 22, 1987, actor Don Ameche, a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, died in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ameche had a long career in Hollywood and was best known for his roles in films such as "Cocoon" and "Trading Places". Despite not being an Iowa native, Ameche had a connection to the state through his father, who owned a shoe factory in Kenosha that supplied shoes to Iowa farmers.