1. Halloween Blizzard of 1991: On October 31, 1991, a catastrophic winter storm hit Iowa, causing power outages and damages. The blizzard caused four deaths and left over 10,000 people stranded. Snowfall reached up to 2 feet in some areas with wind gusts up to 70 mph.

2. Iowa’s First Halloween Party: In 1901, Herbert Hoover, who later became the 31st President of the United States, hosted Iowa’s first Halloween party at his family home in West Branch. The event featured games and activities such as bobbing for apples and was attended by local children.

3. The Ghost of Harlan: On October 31, 1919, a mysterious fire destroyed the Harlan Opera House in western Iowa. The fire was reportedly caused by a ghost known to haunt the building. According to legend, the ghost was a young girl who died during a performance at the opera house in the late 1800s.

4. Iowa’s First Female Governor: On October 31, 2017, Kim Reynolds was sworn in as Iowa’s first female governor, following the resignation of Terry Branstad. Reynolds had previously served as Lieutenant Governor of Iowa and is a former state senator.

5. Celebrating Fall in Iowa: October 31 in Iowa is often celebrated with fall activities such as pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apple orchards. Many communities also hold Halloween parades and events for families to enjoy. In 2020, many of these events were modified or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.