Today In History
5 Fun Facts About June 16 In Iowa History
1. On June 16, 1884, the first roller skating rink was opened in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was called "The Palace" and quickly became a popular destination for local residents to enjoy an evening of skating. 2. In 1922, the Iowa state flag was officially adopted on June 16th. The...
5 Fun Facts About June 15 In Iowa History
Here are 5 interesting facts about June 15 in Iowa history: 1. In 1886, the first railway bridge over the Mississippi River opened in Clinton, Iowa. The Chicago & North Western Railroad built the bridge, which linked the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities region and facilitated transportation and trade. 2. On June...
5 Fun Facts About June 14 In Iowa History
1. The birth of Harriet Harlan, the first woman elected to the Iowa Legislature, occurred on June 14, 1825, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family later moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where she became involved in politics and social reform efforts. 2. On June 14, 1870, the first woman suffrage meeting...
5 Fun Facts About June 13 In Iowa History
1. On June 13, 1865, Iowa was the first state in the Union to ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. 2. June 13, 1914, was the day that celebrated Iowa artist Grant Wood completed his first painting, "Near Sundown," which depicted a farmstead...
5 Fun Facts About June 12 In Iowa History
1. June 12, 1887: The Dedication of the Iowa State Capitol Building On June 12, 1887, the Iowa State Capitol Building was dedicated in a ceremony attended by thousands. The building, which cost over $2.9 million (equivalent to over $80 million today) to construct, was designed by renowned architect John...
5 Fun Facts About June 11 In Iowa History
1. In 1915, the Iowa State Capitol building was officially dedicated. Built in the Beaux-Arts style, the building stands as an iconic symbol of the state's political power. 2. In 1945, the Iowa State Fairgrounds served as the site of a war bond rally attended by retired General Douglas MacArthur....
5 Fun Facts About June 10 In Iowa History
1. The first public demonstration of the telephone in Iowa took place on June 10, 1878, in Cedar Rapids. Alexander Graham Bell made a call to his assistant Thomas Watson in Boston, and the successful call was heard by delighted spectators. 2. On June 10, 1912, the first automatic sprinkler...
5 Fun Facts About June 9 In Iowa History
1. In 1856, the first permanent settler arrived in what is now the city of Cedar Falls. William Sturgis was a blacksmith from Indiana and established a blacksmith shop and farm on the Cedar River. 2. On June 9, 1912, the deadliest tornado in Iowa's history struck the city of...
5 Fun Facts About June 8 In Iowa History
Here are 5 interesting facts about June 8 in Iowa history: 1. On June 8, 1861, Iowa Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood issued a proclamation calling for the formation of a regiment of volunteers to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. This led to the creation of the...
5 Fun Facts About June 7 In Iowa History
1. Birth of Elmer McCollum: On June 7, 1879, Elmer McCollum was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was a biochemist who is known for his discovery of vitamins A and D. 2. John Wayne’s roots: In 1907, John Wayne's parents, Clyde and Mary Morrison, were married in Winterset, Iowa....
5 Fun Facts About June 6 In Iowa History
1. On June 6, 1846, the State of Iowa was officially admitted to the United States as the 29th state. This followed a long struggle for statehood, which began in the 1830s. 2. On June 6, 1918, the famous World War I battle of Belleau Wood began, in which a...
5 Fun Facts About June 5 In Iowa History
1. The first Iowa State Fair was held on June 5, 1854, in Fairfield. It featured exhibits of agriculture, livestock, and other products, and attracted thousands of visitors from across the state. 2. On June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot and killed at the Ambassador Hotel in...