Today In History
5 Fun Facts About April 1 In Iowa History
1. April 1, 1930: Iowa State Patrol formed On April 1, 1930, the Iowa State Patrol was formed, making Iowa the first state to create an agency solely dedicated to enforcing traffic laws. The patrol was initially composed of 50 motorcycle officers who were tasked with improving road safety on...
5 Fun Facts About March 31 In Iowa History
1. In 1838, the Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, leading to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from southeastern states to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). This law had significant impact on the Potawatomi tribe, who had peacefully surrendered their land to the U.S....
5 Fun Facts About March 30 In Iowa History
1. In 1868, the Iowa State Agricultural Society held its first meeting in Des Moines on March 30. The organization aimed to promote agriculture and the mechanization of farming across the state of Iowa. 2. On March 30, 1905, a severe hailstorm hit the town of Villisca, Iowa, causing significant...
5 Fun Facts About March 29 In Iowa History
1. On March 29, 1864, the Iowa 13th Infantry Regiment, which was made up of soldiers from across the state, participated in the Battle of Paducah in Kentucky during the Civil War. The regiment helped to repel an attack by Confederate forces and played a key role in protecting the...
5 Fun Facts About March 28 In Iowa History
1. In 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to join the United States of America. 2. In 1874, the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River was completed between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. 3. In 1922, the Varsity Theatre opened in Des Moines, Iowa. At the time, it...
5 Fun Facts About March 27 In Iowa History
1. On March 27, 1836, Iowa Territory was established by an Act of Congress, paving the way for Iowa to become a state in 1846. The territory encompassed modern-day Iowa, parts of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and small portions of Nebraska and Wyoming. 2. March 27, 1947, marked the first...
5 Fun Facts About March 26 In Iowa History
1. In 1849, the Iowa territory adopted its first constitution, paving the way for Iowa's admission to the Union as a state in 1858. 2. On March 26, 1872, the Iowa State Agricultural College (now known as Iowa State University) was established in Ames, Iowa. Today, the university is renowned...
5 Fun Facts About March 25 In Iowa History
1. In 1935, the Iowa State Highway Patrol was established. This group of law enforcement officers was formed to reduce fatalities, prevent accidents, and enforce traffic laws throughout the state. 2. On March 25, 1955, the Iowa State Penitentiary experienced a major riot. Inmates broke out of their cells, set...
5 Fun Facts About March 24 In Iowa History
1. Iowa became a state: March 24, 1849 marked an important day in Iowa history as it became the 29th state to join the United States of America. 2. First woman mayor in Iowa: On March 24, 1926, Iowa created history by electing Jessie M. Parker as the first female...
5 Fun Facts About March 23 In Iowa History
1. On March 23, 1857, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in the case of Ralph v. Brown that African Americans could not legally reside in the state. The ruling was later overturned by the Iowa General Assembly in 1868. 2. In 1905, a devastating tornado swept through the town of...
5 Fun Facts About March 22 In Iowa History
1. In 1882, the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines was destroyed by fire. The fire began in the attic and quickly spread throughout the building, causing extensive damage. The cause of the fire was never determined, but it led to the construction of a new, larger Capitol building...
5 Fun Facts About March 21 In Iowa History
1. On March 21, 1931, the Grundy County Memorial Hospital opened in Grundy Center. This small hospital provided medical care to the local community and surrounding areas. 2. In 1959, on March 21, the last steam engine train passed through Mt. Vernon, Iowa. The train was headed for Cedar Rapids...