1. On February 17, 1854, the first railroad in Iowa began operation between Davenport and Muscatine. The Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company started running trains on a 25-mile track in order to transport passengers and goods across the state.

2. In 1869, on February 17, railroad tycoon Jay Gould arrived in Des Moines to promote his plan to construct a transcontinental railroad through Iowa. Gould's plan succeeded, and the first transcontinental railroad was completed five years later.

3. Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator, landed his Spirit of St. Louis airplane in Muscatine on February 17, 1928. He was on a 22-stop tour of the Midwest to promote aviation and the upcoming National Air Races.

4. On February 17, 1934, Iowa State University became the first school in the nation to broadcast a basketball game on the radio. The game was between ISU and the University of Iowa, and the broadcast was carried by WOI Radio.

5. In 1996, on February 17, the Iowa State wrestling team won its 25th consecutive Big Eight Conference championship. The Cyclones' streak of conference titles is one of the longest in NCAA history.