1. In 1845, the first legal hanging took place in Iowa, in the city of Bloomfield. A man named John Lee was executed for the murder of his wife.

2. Just four years later in 1849, the first steam-powered sawmill was established in Iowa. This helped to fuel the rapidly growing state economy at the time.

3. In 1933, the state of Iowa ratified the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, which ended prohibition and allowed for the legal sale and consumption of alcohol.

4. March 11, 1950 saw the first televised basketball game in Iowa history, between the University of Iowa and Minnesota. The game was broadcast in black and white and had limited coverage, but marked a major milestone in sports broadcasting.

5. Finally, on March 11, 1997, the town of Parkersburg, Iowa was hit by a devastating tornado that caused immense damage and claimed the lives of six people. The town eventually rebuilt and today has a strong, resilient community.