Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 20 In Iowa History
1. Iowa became a state on December 28, 1846, but on August 20, 1882, the state officially became connected to the rest of the country by railroad. The first train arrived in Council Bluffs from Chicago, which marked the beginning of a new era of transportation and economic growth for...
5 Fun Facts About August 19 In Iowa History
1. In 1947, Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was honored with a day-long celebration in his hometown of West Branch, Iowa, on August 19. Hoover, who was born in 1874 in Iowa, served as president from 1929 to 1933. 2. On August 19, 1848, Iowa became...
5 Fun Facts About August 18 In Iowa History
1. On August 18, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to join the United States. William Henry Harrison was the first Governor of Iowa. 2. On August 18, 1896, a tornado swept through the town of Pomeroy in northwest Iowa, causing significant damage and killing several people. The tornado was...
5 Fun Facts About August 17 In Iowa History
1. In 1878, the first Iowa State Fair was held in Des Moines on August 17th. It featured exhibits and competitions in agriculture, horticulture, and livestock industries, and has since become an annual tradition for many Iowa residents and visitors. 2. On August 17, 1920, Carrie Chapman Catt, a prominent...
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...