1. Iowa's first female lawyer was born on January 24, 1869. Arabella Babb Mansfield was born in Burlington, Iowa and pursued a career in law after being admitted to the Iowa bar in 1869. She is often credited as the first woman to be admitted to the legal profession in the United States.

2. The Cedar Rapids Opera House opened on January 24, 1929. Designed by the prominent architect C.W. Rapp, the Opera House was one of the most luxurious venues in the Midwest during its heyday. It played host to many famous performers and events, including the film premiere of Gone with the Wind.

3. The first Iowa-built John Deere tractor was produced on January 24, 1924. The Model D was manufactured in Waterloo, Iowa and marked a major turning point in agricultural technology. The John Deere company continues to be a major employer in Iowa to this day.

4. Iowa native and astronaut Peggy Whitson broke the record for the most time spent in space by an American on January 24, 2017. Whitson, who grew up in Beaconsfield, Iowa, spent a total of 665 days in space over the course of her career with NASA.

5. The first Iowa State Capitol building burned down on January 24, 1854. The building, which was located in Iowa City, was destroyed in a fire that also consumed many important state documents and records. The incident ultimately led to the decision to move the state capital to Des Moines.