1. On September 2, 1856, the first state fair was held in Iowa. The fair showcased agricultural innovations and was attended by over 8,000 people.

2. In 1922, J. R. Brinkley, a botched medical doctor turned radio personality, made his debut on WHO radio station in Des Moines on September 2. Brinkley went on to become a controversial figure in the history of broadcasting in Iowa and the U.S.

3. September 2, 1956, marked the opening of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. The prison was built to address overcrowding issues in other state penitentiaries and served as Iowa's maximum-security prison.

4. On September 2, 1968, the University of Iowa launched the Iowa Testing Programs. The program aimed to conduct research on testing and assessment methods in education and has become one of the largest educational testing organizations in the world.

5. In 1991, on September 2, the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing was called into active duty for Operation Desert Storm. The unit deployed to Saudi Arabia to provide air defense and support for operations against Iraq. The 132nd Fighter Wing received several commendations for their service during the conflict.