1. The railroad was introduced in Iowa on December 29, 1854. The Dubuque and Pacific Railroad opened for passenger service, running a 21-mile route from Dubuque to Dyersville. The railroad was an important development for Iowa, allowing for faster transportation of goods and people.

2. Iowans celebrated the first-ever Kwanzaa festival on December 29, 1966. The holiday, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, celebrates African-American culture and values. Iowans in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids were among the first to adopt the holiday.

3. On December 29, 1975, the movie "The Great Waldo Pepper" premiered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The film, directed by George Roy Hill and starring Robert Redford, is about a World War I pilot who becomes a barnstormer.

4. The Iowa Hawkeyes won the Alamo Bowl on December 29, 2001. The football team defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders 19-16 in San Antonio, Texas. The win was the Hawkeyes' eighth of the season and their first bowl victory since 1991.

5. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency on December 29, 2015, as the state was hit by a severe winter storm. The storm brought heavy snow, high winds, and ice to much of the state, causing power outages and dangerous driving conditions. The governor's declaration enabled the state to take emergency measures to deal with the storm.