1. Iowa became a state: On March 3, 1845, Iowa officially became the 29th state in the United States. The territory had been part of the Louisiana Purchase and was originally known as the Iowa District.

2. The first basketball state tournament: The first Iowa high school basketball state tournament was held on March 3, 1912, in the town of Des Moines. The tournament featured just eight teams from across the state, but it would eventually grow to become a major annual event for high school sports in Iowa.

3. Birth of the Iowa Beef Industry Council: In 1976, the Iowa Beef Industry Council was established on March 3 as a way to promote the beef industry in the state. The council still exists today, working to support beef producers and educate consumers about the benefits of beef.

4. State agency created for persons with disabilities: On March 3, 1983, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation creating the Iowa Department of Persons with Disabilities. The agency was later renamed the Iowa Department of Human Services, but its focus on serving Iowans with disabilities has continued.

5. Tornado outbreak: On March 3, 2020, a major tornado outbreak swept across Iowa, causing widespread damage and several deaths. The storms were part of a larger system that affected several states in the Midwest and South, and were among the earliest major tornadoes of the spring season.