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5 Fun Facts About February 17 In Iowa History
1. On February 17, 1854, the first railroad in Iowa began operation between Davenport and Muscatine. The Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company started running trains on a 25-mile track in order to transport passengers and goods across the state. 2. In 1869, on February 17, railroad tycoon Jay Gould...
5 Fun Facts About February 16 In Iowa History
1. On February 16, 1916, Iowa Governor George W. Clarke signed a bill that established the Iowa State Highway Commission, making Iowa the first state in the country to have a centralized agency responsible for establishing a statewide highway system. 2. In 1933, the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team defeated the...
5 Fun Facts About February 15 In Iowa History
1. On February 15, 1965, the first YMCA in Iowa City was opened. The Iowa City YMCA has since provided recreational and fitness activities for the surrounding community. 2. In 1893 on this day, the first Iowa legislature received an address by Governor Horace Boies, who discussed the importance of...
5 Fun Facts About February 14 In Iowa History
1. Iowa Becomes a State: February 14, 1846 marks the day that Iowa became the 29th state in the United States. Prior to statehood, Iowa was a part of the Wisconsin Territory. 2. Historic Blizzard: On February 14, 1899, a massive blizzard hit Iowa, bringing snow drifts up to 20...
5 Fun Facts About February 13 In Iowa History
1. On February 13, 1864, a group of approximately 200 Dakota Indians attacked settlers in the town of Spirit Lake, Iowa. The attack resulted in the deaths of 38 settlers, including men, women, and children. 2. In 1893, on February 13, the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines burned...
5 Fun Facts About February 12 In Iowa History
1. On February 12, 1816, the Iowa Territory, which encompassed present-day Iowa and parts of several surrounding states, was first established by an act of Congress. The territory was established as part of the larger effort to expand American settlement westward, and was an important step towards statehood for Iowa....
5 Fun Facts About February 11 In Iowa History
1. On February 11, 1873, the Iowa State Capitol building caught fire and burned down. The original building, built in 1857, was replaced by the current Capitol building, which was completed in 1886. 2. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was born on February 11, 1846, in Le Claire, Iowa. He...
5 Fun Facts About February 10 In Iowa History
1. In 1927, Iowa experienced a devastating blizzard known as the "Schoolhouse Blizzard" or the "Children's Blizzard." The storm hit on February 10, and more than 200 people died, mostly schoolchildren caught in the storm while walking home. 2. The University of Iowa's famous Iowa Writers' Workshop was founded on...
5 Fun Facts About February 9 In Iowa History
1. On February 9, 1864, the first central heating plant in Iowa was established in Dubuque. This allowed for large buildings and homes to be heated uniformly, improving living conditions during the harsh winters. 2. In 1894, on February 9th, a fire broke out at the Iowa State Capitol building...
5 Fun Facts About February 8 In Iowa History
1. In 1867, the state of Iowa passed the "Exclusion Act," which banned African Americans from settling in the state. The law was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1873. 2. In 1910, Iowa City became the first city in the United States to recognize and celebrate Valentine's...
5 Fun Facts About February 7 In Iowa History
1. On February 7, 1893, the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines was officially completed, after nearly 15 years of construction. The building is known for its gold-domed roof and impressive architecture, and continues to serve as the home of Iowa's government. 2. In 2008, on February 7, the...
5 Fun Facts About February 6 In Iowa History
1. On February 6, 1843, the Iowa Territory was created by an act of the United States Congress. It included all of present-day Iowa, much of Minnesota, and parts of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska. 2. In 1899, the Iowa State Capitol building opened its doors to the public...