Today In History
5 Fun Facts About February 29 In Iowa History
Here are five interesting facts about February 29 in Iowa history: 1. Leap Day Blizzard of 1888: On February 29, 1888, a massive blizzard struck Iowa and other states in the Midwest. The storm killed hundreds of people and caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. 2. John Lewis was...
5 Fun Facts About February 28 In Iowa History
1. In 1849, Iowa City was designated as the permanent capital of Iowa. Prior to this, different cities had served as the capital on a rotating basis. 2. In 1861, the Iowa State University was officially established, originally named the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm. 3. On February 28,...
5 Fun Facts About February 27 In Iowa History
1. In 1917, the first Iowa National Guard troops were called into federal service for World War I. Many Iowans served in the war effort on the Western Front, and their contributions are memorialized in monuments and museums throughout the state. 2. On February 27, 1933, a devastating tornado tore...
5 Fun Facts About February 26 In Iowa History
1. In 1863, the state of Iowa established the first state-supported school for the deaf, which later became the Iowa School for the Deaf. The school, located in Council Bluffs, continues to provide education and services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. 2. On February 26, 1919,...
5 Fun Facts About February 25 In Iowa History
1. In 1837, the Iowa Territory was established by an act of Congress, paving the way for Iowa statehood in 1846. 2. On February 25, 1959, the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all on board. This tragedy later became...
5 Fun Facts About February 24 In Iowa History
1. In 1868, Iowa State University was established as Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, becoming the first land-grant institution in the country. Today, the university is a leading research institution and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. 2. In 1887, Frank Gotch was born in Humboldt,...
5 Fun Facts About February 23 In Iowa History
1. In 1847, the Iowa territorial legislature passed a bill to establish the state's penal institution, which would eventually become known as the Iowa State Penitentiary. The prison opened in Fort Madison in 1839 and is still in operation today. 2. On February 23, 1867, the Iowa State University was...
5 Fun Facts About February 22 In Iowa History
1. In 1954, the University of Northern Iowa became the first accredited institution of higher education in the state to offer night classes. 2. On February 22, 1975, the first Super Bowl played on artificial turf was held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Iowa native and University of...
5 Fun Facts About February 21 In Iowa History
1. On February 21, 1837, Iowa became the 29th state to join the Union. The state was primarily settled by immigrants from Germany, Ireland, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands, and its name comes from the Native American word "ayuhwa," which means "beautiful land." 2. In 1862, the Civil War Battle of...
5 Fun Facts About February 20 In Iowa History
1. On February 20, 1915, the Iowa State Men's Basketball team played their first game at the new State Gymnasium in Ames, defeating Grinnell College 38-13. The State Gymnasium was hailed as a state-of-the-art facility at the time and is now known as the State Gym. 2. In 1954, Senator...
5 Fun Facts About February 19 In Iowa History
1. On February 19, 1837, Iowa Territory was established by an act of Congress. Prior to this, Iowa had been part of the larger Michigan Territory and then the Wisconsin Territory. 2. On February 19, 1864, the Union Army won a decisive victory over Confederate forces at the Battle of...
5 Fun Facts About February 18 In Iowa History
1. On February 18, 1865, Iowans celebrated the state's admission to the Union with the first state-wide celebration in history. The festivities included a procession with floats and a grand ball at the state capitol building. 2. In 1879, the first electric streetcar in Iowa began service in Des Moines...