1) In 1843, the first issue of the Iowa Territorial Gazette and Burlington Advertiser was published in Burlington, Iowa. This newspaper played a significant role in shaping public opinion in the territory and was essential in promoting statehood for Iowa.

2) On April 4, 1896, the Iowa State Men's Glee Club was founded at the Iowa State College in Ames. The group has since become one of the oldest continuously running men's glee clubs in the United States and tours nationally and internationally.

3) In 1911, Iowa became the first state to enact a workers' compensation law. The Iowa law provided benefits for workers injured on the job, including medical treatment and disability payments. This legislation set a precedent for other states to follow.

4) On April 4, 1934, the first regiment of the Civilian Conservation Corps arrived in Iowa to work on various conservation and public works projects. The CCC played a vital role in creating jobs and improving infrastructure in the state during the Great Depression.

5) In 1983, Iowa native and astronaut Peggy Whitson graduated from Iowa State University with a Ph.D. in biochemistry. Whitson went on to become the first female commander of the International Space Station and hold the record for the most cumulative time spent in space by an American astronaut.