Today In History
5 Fun Facts About October 7 In Iowa History
1. In 1858, the first railroad line west of the Mississippi River was completed in Iowa, connecting Davenport and Council Bluffs. The line was a major contribution to the development and growth of the state's economy and transportation system. 2. In 1881, the famous outlaw Jesse James was shot and...
5 Fun Facts About October 6 In Iowa History
1. In 1843, the first Iowa territorial fair was held in Fairfield on October 6. The fair was organized to showcase the state's agricultural products, and by 1855, the Iowa State Fair was established, which takes place annually in August. 2. On October 6, 1866, the Iowa Agricultural College (now...
5 Fun Facts About October 5 In Iowa History
1. In 1864, the Battle of Allatoona occurred in Georgia during the Civil War. Iowa soldiers played a significant role in the battle, which resulted in a Union victory. 2. The first Czech language newspaper in the United States, “Svornost,” was founded in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on October 5, 1877....
5 Fun Facts About October 4 In Iowa History
1. In 1837, the first newspaper in Iowa, the Dubuque Visitor, was published for the first time on October 4. It was a weekly paper that provided information on local, national, and international events to the citizens of Dubuque. 2. One of the most devastating fires in Iowa's history occurred...
5 Fun Facts About October 3 In Iowa History
1. Iowa State University was established on October 3, 1858. Originally named the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, it was the first land-grant college in the United States, established under the Morrill Act. 2. On October 3, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson spoke at the dedication of the Herbert...
5 Fun Facts About October 2 In Iowa History
1. Des Moines Register, Iowa's largest newspaper, was founded on October 2, 1849. It has won numerous Pulitzer Prizes and is still in publication today. 2. Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa, was officially established on October 2, 1862, as part of the Morrill Act, which provided federal land...
5 Fun Facts About October 1 In Iowa History
1. First Iowa City Charter On October 1, 1853, the Iowa Legislature approved the first charter of Iowa City, making it the first city in the state to receive such a designation. This allowed for local government to be established and for city officials to make decisions concerning municipal affairs....
5 Fun Facts About September 30 In Iowa History
1. On September 30, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation designating Iowa as the 29th state to adopt his Emancipation Proclamation, which had taken effect on January 1 of that year. The proclamation declared all slaves in rebel territory "forever free," and though it was initially met with resistance...
5 Fun Facts About September 29 In Iowa History
1. On September 29, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state admitted to the United States. Iowa is often referred to as the "Hawkeye State" and is known for its agricultural production of corn, soybeans, and pork. 2. On September 29, 1908, the National Balloon Race started in Des Moines. This...
5 Fun Facts About September 28 In Iowa History
1. In 1844, Iowa delegate to Congress, Augustus C. Dodge, successfully lobbied for the construction of the first railroad west of the Mississippi River. This railroad, which would span from Davenport to Iowa City, was a major step forward in Iowa's transportation infrastructure. 2. On September 28, 1863, the Battle...
5 Fun Facts About September 27 In Iowa History
1. In 1847, the first Presbyterian church in Dubuque, Iowa was organized. 2. In 1859, the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River, connecting Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois, opened. 3. In 1904, the first carillon in Iowa was installed in the Campanile at Iowa State College (now Iowa...
5 Fun Facts About September 26 In Iowa History
1. In 1850, the first railroad in Iowa was established when a line was laid from Davenport to Iowa City. This event marked a significant moment in the state's history as transportation became faster and more efficient. 2. A 1905 article in the Des Moines Register reported on a football...