Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 16 In Iowa History
1. On August 16, 1887, Laura Ingalls Wilder married Almanzo Wilder in De Smet, South Dakota. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the popular "Little House on the Prairie" book series, which was adapted into a television show in the 1970s. 2. On August 16, 1918, the 34th Infantry Division, known as...
5 Fun Facts About August 15 In Iowa History
1. Iowa became a state on August 15, 1846. After being part of the Minnesota and Wisconsin territories, Iowa joined the Union as the 29th state. The state's capital, Des Moines, was later established in 1851. 2. On August 15, 1945, Iowans celebrated the end of World War II. The...
5 Fun Facts About August 7 In Iowa History
Iowa has a vast and fascinating history, and August 7 is a particularly noteworthy day. Here are five interesting facts about August 7 in Iowa's past: 1. In 1843, Mormon apostle Parley P. Pratt was arrested in Iowa for bigamy. Pratt was a key figure in the early Mormon Church...
5 Fun Facts About August 6 In Iowa History
1. In 1846, Iowa became the 29th state in the United States, marking a significant moment in the state's history. Prior to statehood, Iowa had been part of various territories, including Wisconsin and Michigan. 2. On August 6, 1911, the town of Waterloo experienced one of the worst fires in...
5 Fun Facts About August 5 In Iowa History
1. On August 5, 1892, the notorious outlaw Frank James surrendered to the authorities in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Frank James was the older brother of Jesse James and was a member of the James-Younger Gang, which was responsible for numerous bank and train robberies throughout the Midwest in the late...
5 Fun Facts About August 4 In Iowa History
1. On August 4, 1832, Iowa's first territorial governor, Robert Lucas, arrived in Burlington, Iowa to begin his term in office. Lucas was instrumental in establishing the framework for Iowa's territorial government and played a key role in Iowa's transition to statehood in 1846. 2. August 4, 1881 marked the...
5 Fun Facts About August 3 In Iowa History
1. In 1846, the Mormon Pioneer Company reached Council Bluffs, Iowa, after a grueling journey across the plains. The company, led by Brigham Young, had been forced to leave their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, due to persecution and had set out on a treacherous journey to find a new home...
5 Fun Facts About August 2 In Iowa History
1. In 1865, the last Confederate general to surrender during the Civil War, Stand Watie, signed a cease-fire agreement in Doaksville, Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). Watie was a member of the Cherokee Nation and fought for the Confederacy after the tribe became divided in its loyalties. 2. The town of...
5 Fun Facts About August 1 In Iowa History
1) On August 1, 1877, a swarm of Rocky Mountain locusts descended upon Iowa and other Midwest states, causing widespread destruction to crops and vegetation. The swarm was estimated to be over 110 miles wide and 1,800 miles long, leading to a major economic crisis for farmers in the affected...
5 Fun Facts About July 31 In Iowa History
1. In 1848, Iowa became the 29th state to join the Union, making July 31 the state's anniversary of statehood. Iowa was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase and was a territory for several years before becoming a state. 2. On July 31, 1875, Iowa native Herbert Quick was born....
5 Fun Facts About July 30 In Iowa History
1. Iowa Governor Robert D. Fulton was born on July 30, 1929, in Waterloo, Iowa. He served as the 38th governor of Iowa from 1969 to 1973, and during his tenure, he focused on expanding education and increasing economic growth in the state. 2. On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon...
5 Fun Facts About July 29 In Iowa History
1. The State of Iowa was admitted to the Union on July 29, 1846, becoming the 29th state to join the United States. 2. On July 29, 1974, former President Richard Nixon made a campaign stop in Sioux City, Iowa, during his post-Watergate public appearances. 3. In 1899, the first...