1. Hawkeye Hero: September 7, 1945 marks the day when Nile Kinnick, the celebrated football player from University of Iowa, tragically died in a plane crash during a training mission in the Atlantic Ocean. Kinnick, who won the 1939 Heisman Trophy, is still remembered as a Hawkeye hero for his remarkable performance on the field and his selfless service to the country during World War II.

2. Polk County Courthouse Fire: On September 7, 1902, the iconic Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa was destroyed in a massive fire that consumed the building and its valuable historical records. The fire, which was caused by a gas explosion, was a major setback for the local government and the community at large.

3. The Squirrel Wars: In September 1888, a strange and hilarious feud broke out between the towns of Corning and Villisca in southwestern Iowa over the ownership and hunting rights of a group of squirrels. The two towns engaged in a series of squirrel hunts and counter-hunts, with each side trying to outdo the other in terms of number and size of the squirrels caught. The bizarre conflict lasted for several weeks, and was eventually settled by a compromise agreement.

4. Flood Disaster: September 7, 1965 is remembered as a dark day in the history of Iowa, as a series of severe thunderstorms and heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding across the state, resulting in 17 deaths and over $300 million in damages. The flood, which was later dubbed as the "Great Flood of 1965", had a profound impact on the local economy and infrastructure, and led to significant changes in government policies regarding disaster preparedness and response.

5. The Birth of a Champion: On September 7, 1886, Floyd of Rosedale, the iconic pig trophy awarded to the winner of the annual college football game between University of Iowa and University of Minnesota, was born in Rosedale Farms in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The pig, named after the Minnesota Governor Floyd B. Olson, became a symbol of the fierce rivalry between the two teams, and remains one of the most cherished trophies in college sports history.