1. On April 15, 1947, the Iowa state legislature passed a bill creating the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. This marked a significant moment in the fight for civil rights in Iowa and helped to establish the state as a leader in the movement for racial equality.

2. On April 15, 1960, a tornado struck Charles City, Iowa, causing significant damage and killing 13 people. The tornado, which was later classified as an F5 on the Fujita scale, remains one of the deadliest in Iowa history.

3. On April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died from a gunshot wound sustained the previous day. Although Lincoln was not from Iowa, his death had a profound impact on the state and the nation as a whole.

4. On April 15, 1999, Iowa State University student Darrell Flexsenhar Jr. opened fire in a dormitory and then in a classroom, killing two people and injuring many others before taking his own life. The incident sparked a nationwide discussion about gun control and mental health.

5. On April 15, 1955, the first McDonald's restaurant in Iowa opened in Des Moines. This marked the beginning of the fast food chain's expansion throughout the state and helped to establish Iowa as a hub for the fast food industry.