Today In History
5 Fun Facts About July 19 In Iowa History
1. On July 19, 1933, Iowa became the first state in the country to accept federal assistance through the National Recovery Administration. This program aimed to stimulate economic recovery during the Great Depression. 2. In 1965, on July 19, the Iowa State Fair saw its greatest attendance ever with a...
5 Fun Facts About July 18 In Iowa History
1. On July 18, 1840, the steamboat Pennsylvania exploded on the Mississippi River near Dubuque, Iowa, killing over 40 people. The explosion was caused by a buildup of pressure in the boiler. 2. On July 18, 1864, Confederate General Joseph Shelby and his troops made a raid into Iowa, reaching...
5 Fun Facts About July 13 In Iowa History
1. On July 13, 1838, Governor Robert Lucas proclaimed that all Native Americans living in Iowa must move west of the Mississippi River, as part of the Indian Removal Act. This cruel and unjust policy forced thousands of Native Americans to abandon their homes and ancestral lands. 2. In 1919,...
5 Fun Facts About July 12 In Iowa History
1. In 1974, Iowa suffered its deadliest tornado outbreak on July 12. The outbreak produced 27 tornadoes, killing 3 people and injuring 200 others. 2. On July 12, 1917, the Waterloo Hawks baseball team won a game against the Waterloo Athletics with a final score of 16-0. This was the...
5 Fun Facts About July 11 In Iowa History
1. Beginning of the 2008 floods: July 11, 2008, marked the beginning of the historic floods that devastated large parts of Iowa. The floods affected over 85 of Iowa's 99 counties and caused billions of dollars in damages. 2. Record high temperatures: On July 11, 1936, Iowa experienced what remains...
5 Fun Facts About July 10 In Iowa History
1. On July 10, 1842, the town of Dubuque, Iowa experienced its first major flood. The Mississippi River overflowed its banks and caused widespread damage to the town. 2. In 1923, the first flight across Iowa took place on July 10th. Aviators Walter Johnson and John Nelson flew from Des...
5 Fun Facts About July 9 In Iowa History
1. Birth of Shawn Johnson: On July 9, 1992, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. She is a retired artistic gymnast and has won four Olympic medals during her career. 2. Iowa Statehood: On July 9, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to be admitted...
5 Fun Facts About July 8 In Iowa History
Below are five interesting facts about July 8 in Iowa history: 1. In 1846, the first issue of the Iowa Territory's first newspaper, "The Iowa Capitol Reporter," was published in Burlington. 2. In 1875, the first passenger train arrived in Spencer, signaling the arrival of the railroad in the town....
5 Fun Facts About July 7 In Iowa History
1. Birth of Grant Wood: July 7, 1891 marks the birth of famous painter Grant Wood, who was born in Anamosa, Iowa. Wood is best known for his regionalist artwork, including the iconic painting "American Gothic." 2. University of Iowa founded: On July 7, 1847, the University of Iowa was...
5 Fun Facts About July 6 In Iowa History
1. On July 6, 1844, the town of Fort Des Moines was established by Captain James Allen and a company of soldiers. This marked the beginning of a settlement that would eventually grow into the city of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. 2. July 6, 1863, saw the Battle...
5 Fun Facts About July 5 In Iowa History
1. Birth of Iowa's Most Famous Baseball Player: On July 5, 1905, baseball legend "Cap" Anson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, which was quite a feat for a man born in Marshalltown, Iowa. Anson went on to play for the Chicago White Sox and lead them to...
5 Fun Facts About July 4 In Iowa History
1. Iowa Became a State on December 28, 1846: Although it wasn't on July 4th, Iowa officially became a state on December 28, 1846, making it the 29th state in the United States. 2. The Territorial Capitol of Iowa Burned Down in 1857: On the morning of July 4th, 1857,...