1. In 1837, the first newspaper in Iowa, the Dubuque Visitor, was published for the first time on October 4. It was a weekly paper that provided information on local, national, and international events to the citizens of Dubuque.

2. One of the most devastating fires in Iowa's history occurred on October 4, 1871, when the town of Peshtigo was destroyed by a fire that claimed the lives of over 1,200 people. It was part of a series of fires that swept through the Midwest in 1871 and is now known as the Peshtigo Fire.

3. On October 4, 1940, the first television broadcast in Iowa was made by WOI-TV in Ames. This historical moment marked the beginning of a new era in entertainment and communication.

4. On that day in 1983, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating October 4 as World Animal Day. This day aims to raise awareness about animal welfare and advocate for the protection of animals around the world.

5. On October 4, 2002, Bill Bryson, a famous American writer, and Iowa native, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Drake University in Des Moines. Bryson is known for his books on travel, the English language, and history.