History of Iowa in Timeline
Iowa, a Midwestern state in the United States, is uniquely positioned as it's surrounded by other states, making it doubly landlocked. Its borders are defined by major rivers like the Mississippi, Missouri, and Big Sioux. Neighboring states include Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
1900: Iowa's Population Growth Trends
Since at least the 1900 census, Iowa's population growth has been slower compared to the overall U.S. population growth.
January 12, 1912: Iowa's All-Time Lowest Temperature Recorded
Iowa's lowest recorded temperature of -47°F (-44°C) occurred in Washta on January 12, 1912.
1914: Economic Prosperity for Iowa Farmers
Since the start of World War I in 1914, Iowa farmers experienced a period of economic prosperity until the war's end.
1917: Establishment of the Colored Officers Training Camp
The Colored Officers Training Camp was established at Fort Des Moines in 1917.
1917: World War I Impacts Iowa's Economy
The United States entered World War I in 1917, significantly impacting Iowa's economy. Farmers experienced a shift to a wartime economy, while the state saw an increase in business and manufacturing operations.
1918: Growth of the African American Community in Des Moines
After World War I ended in 1918, many African American families decided to stay in Des Moines after the closure of the Colored Officers Training Camp, which marked the beginning of a thriving African American community.
1918: Babel Proclamation
The Babel Proclamation of 1918 prohibited the use of the German language in public spaces.
1919: Defeat of Full Women's Suffrage
Multiple attempts to grant women full voting rights in Iowa were defeated between 1870 and 1919.
1920: Nineteenth Amendment Ratification
Iowa officially ratified the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, granting women the right to vote.
July 20, 1934: Iowa's All-Time Hottest Temperature Recorded
Iowa's highest recorded temperature of 118°F (48°C) occurred in Keokuk on July 20, 1934, during a nationwide heat wave.
1942: World War II Disrupts Iowa State Fair
Due to World War II, the Iowa State Fair was put on hold from 1942 to 1945 as the fairgrounds were repurposed into an army supply depot.
1945: World War II Disrupts Iowa State Fair
Due to World War II, the Iowa State Fair was put on hold from 1942 to 1945 as the fairgrounds were repurposed into an army supply depot.
1949: State of Iowa v. Katz
In 1949, the landmark case of State of Iowa v. Katz ruled that businesses in Iowa were legally obligated to serve all customers regardless of their race, marking a significant step towards racial equality.
1961: Iowa's Precipitation Patterns
From 1961 to 1990, Iowa experienced varying precipitation levels, with the southeast receiving over 38 inches (97 cm) annually and the northwest receiving less than 28 inches (71 cm).
1965: Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965
In 1965, the Iowa Civil Rights Act was enacted, solidifying and comprehensively protecting racial civil rights within the state.
1968: Deadly Tornadoes Strike Iowa
Iowa experienced its deadliest tornado year since 1968 in 2008, with twelve fatalities and 105 tornadoes, matching the total from 2001.
1971: John Deere Classic Begins
The John Deere Classic, a prominent PGA Tour golf tournament, was first held in the Quad Cities in 1971.
1973: RAGBRAI's First Ride
The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) began in 1973, attracting thousands of cyclists and support staff annually.
1975: Iowa Welcomes Tai Dam Refugees
In 1975, Governor Robert D. Ray facilitated the resettlement of 1,200 Tai Dam refugees fleeing the Indochina War in Iowa, marking the beginning of the state's acceptance of thousands of refugees from Southeast Asia.
June 1976: Repeal of Same-Sex Sexual Activity Law
Iowa repealed its law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity in June 1976, a significant step towards LGBTQ+ rights.
1980: Rejection of State Equal Rights Amendment
Iowa voters rejected a proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the state constitution in 1980.
1983: Beginning of Terry Branstad's First Term as Governor
Terry Branstad's first tenure as governor of Iowa commenced in 1983.
1990: Iowa's Population Growth and Rural Flight
Since approximately 1990, Iowa has experienced population growth despite the challenges of rural flight, a trend observed in other Midwestern states.
1990: Rise of Renewable Energy in Iowa
Since 1990, renewable energy, particularly wind power, has become a significant economic driver in northern and western Iowa, with wind turbine electrical generation experiencing rapid growth.
1990: Iowa's Precipitation Patterns
From 1961 to 1990, Iowa experienced varying precipitation levels, with the southeast receiving over 38 inches (97 cm) annually and the northwest receiving less than 28 inches (71 cm). The driest months are typically January or February, and the wettest is June due to frequent showers and thunderstorms.
1992: Second Rejection of State Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment to the Iowa Constitution was once again rejected by voters in 1992.
1998: Inclusion of "Women" in Iowa Constitution
In 1998, the word "women" was officially added to the Iowa Constitution, emphasizing gender equality in the state's governing document.
1999: End of Terry Branstad's First Tenure as Governor
Terry Branstad's initial period as governor of Iowa came to a close in 1999.
1999: U.S. Senior Open at Des Moines Golf and Country Club
The Des Moines Golf and Country Club hosted the prestigious U.S. Senior Open golf tournament in 1999.
2000: Iowa's Urbanization Trend
By 2000, 61% of Iowa's population resided in urban areas, a trend that started in the early 20th century.
2000: Religious Congregations & Membership Study
The "Religious Congregations & Membership: 2000" study indicated that the United Methodist Church was the largest religious group in the southernmost two tiers of Iowa counties and other central counties. In contrast, the Catholic Church predominated in the northeast, including Dubuque and Linn counties. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was most prominent in ten counties, mainly in the northern tier. The study also noted a rapid increase in Evangelical Christian denominations.
2001: High Number of Tornadoes in Iowa
Iowa experienced its deadliest tornado year since 1968 in 2008, with twelve fatalities and 105 tornadoes, matching the total from 2001.
2001: Principal Charity Classic Inaugurated
The Principal Charity Classic, a Champions Tour golf event, debuted in Iowa in 2001.
2002: Indirect Economic Impact of Agriculture in 2002
In 2002, the indirect impact of agriculture, including related businesses, was greater than the direct impact, contributing 16.4% to the value added and 24.3% to the total output of Iowa's economy.
2003: Iowa's Economy in 2003
In 2003, manufacturing was the largest sector of Iowa's economy, contributing 21% to the gross state product. Food processing was a major component, with companies like ConAgra Foods, Wells Blue Bunny, and Quaker Oats having facilities in Iowa. Meatpacker Tyson Foods also had a significant presence with 11 locations.
2004: Third Parties on the Ballot in Iowa
Since 2004, several third parties, designated as "nonparty political organizations," have participated in Iowa's elections, with candidates appearing on the ballot for various positions. These parties include the Constitution Party, the Green Party, the Pirate Party, and the Socialist Workers Party.
2005: Iowa Ranks Low in Public Land Holdings
In 2005, Iowa ranked 49th among U.S. states in terms of public land holdings, reflecting the state's limited natural areas.
2005: Iowa's Gross Domestic Product
In 2005, Iowa's gross domestic product was approximately $124 billion.
2006: Per Capita Income in Iowa
Iowa's per capita income in 2006 was $23,340.
2006: Iowa Speedway Opens
The Iowa Speedway, a major oval track in Newton, began hosting prestigious auto racing events, including IndyCar Series and NASCAR races, starting in 2006.
2007: Wellmark's Dominance in Iowa's Health Insurance Market
By 2007, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield had become a dominant player in Iowa's health insurance market, providing coverage to 71% of the state's population.
2007: Iowa Caucus
In 2007, Iowa experienced the seventh-highest presidential campaign spending in the country due to the significant media attention surrounding the Iowa caucus.
2007: Contribution of Agriculture to Iowa's Economy in 2007
In 2007, the direct production and sale of agricultural commodities made up only 3.5% of Iowa's gross state product.
2007: Expansion of Iowa Civil Rights Act
The Iowa Civil Rights Act was amended in 2007 to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classes.
2008: Urban vs. Rural Population Growth in Iowa
From 2000 to 2008, urban counties in Iowa grew by 8.5%, while rural counties saw a decline of 4.2%, highlighting the continuing shift from rural to urban areas.
2008: Iowa's Agricultural Output in 2008
In 2008, Iowa was a major contributor to US agricultural production, with its 92,600 farms producing a significant percentage of the nation's corn, soybeans, hogs, and eggs.
2008: Deadly Tornadoes Strike Iowa
Iowa experienced its deadliest tornado year since 1968 in 2008, with twelve fatalities and 105 tornadoes, matching the total from 2001.
April 3, 2009: Varnum v. Brien
On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Varnum v. Brien that the state's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, making Iowa the third state to legalize same-sex marriage.
July 2, 2009: Standard & Poor's Credit Rating
On July 2, 2009, Standard & Poor's assigned Iowa a AAA credit rating, the highest possible rating, which was held by only 11 U.S. state governments at the time.
2009: Ethanol Production in Iowa
In 2009, Iowa had 39 ethanol plants that produced 3.1 billion US gallons of fuel. Ethanol production was a significant industry, using approximately one-third of the state's corn production and contributing 8% to Iowa's gross domestic product.
2009: Agricultural Processing in Iowa
By 2009, significant agricultural product processors operating in Iowa included Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Inc., Diamond V Mills, and Quaker Oats.
2010: Association of Religion Data Archives Survey
According to a 2010 survey by the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA), the largest Protestant denominations in Iowa were the United Methodist Church with 235,190 adherents and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 229,557 adherents. Catholicism had 503,080 adherents.
2010: Center of Population and Demographics of Iowa
As of the 2010 census, the center of Iowa's population was located in Marshall County, near Melbourne. The population density was 52.7 people per square mile.
2010: Decline in Health Insurance Competition (2010-2011)
Between 2010 and 2011, Iowa experienced a significant decline in health insurance competition, ranking fourth among ten states with the biggest drops.
2010: Iowa's Congressional Representation After 2010 Census
Following the 2010 United States Census and subsequent redistricting, Iowa's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives was reduced by one seat, bringing the total to four.
2010: CNBC's "Top States for Business"
In 2010, CNBC ranked Iowa as the sixth-best state in the nation for business in its "Top States for Business" list.
2010: Republican Victory in Iowa's Gubernatorial Election
In the 2010 Iowa gubernatorial election, Republican candidate Terry Branstad emerged victorious, defeating incumbent Democratic Governor Chet Culver.
2010: 2010 Census
The 2010 census recorded Iowa's population at 3,046,355, with a gender makeup of 49.5% male and 50.5% female. 23.9% of the population were under 18, 61.2% were between 18 and 64, and 14.9% were 65 or older.
2010: Iowa's Population Increases According to 2020 Census
The United States Census Bureau reported that on April 1, 2020, Iowa's population was 3,190,369, reflecting a 4.73% increase from the 2010 census.
2011: Data Source for Health Insurance Competition
Data on health insurance competition levels was sourced from HealthLeaders-Interstudy, covering HMO, PPO, POS, and consumer-driven health plans.
2011: Iowa Economic Development Authority Established
The Iowa Economic Development Authority was established in 2011, replacing the Iowa Department of Economic Development, and its reports became a key source of economic information.
2012: Congressional Election in Iowa's Third District
In the 2012 congressional election in Iowa's newly redrawn third district, incumbent Representatives Leonard Boswell, a Democrat, and Tom Latham, a Republican, faced off against each other. Latham emerged victorious.
2013: American Medical Association Report on Health Insurance Competition
The American Medical Association published an annual report in 2013, using 2011 data, that highlighted the level of competition within the health insurance industry.
November 2014: Wellmark's Dominance and Financial Strength in Iowa's Health Insurance Market
In November 2014, the Iowa Insurance Division reported that Wellmark Inc. held a dominant position in the individual, small group, and large group health insurance markets, with a market share ranging from 52% to 67%. The report also indicated that Wellmark HealthPlan of Iowa and Wellmark Inc. possessed the highest risk-based capital percentages among the top ten providers, suggesting strong financial performance and profitability.
2014: Iowa's Climate Characterized by Cold Winters
As of 2014, Iowa's winters are known for dropping well below freezing.
2014: Health Insurance Providers in Iowa
As of 2014, there were 16 organizations offering health insurance products in Iowa.
2014: Retirement of Tom Latham from Congress
Following the 2014 elections, Tom Latham, who had won the redrawn third congressional district in 2012, announced his retirement from Congress.
2014: Pew Research Center Survey on Religious Affiliation
In 2014, a Pew Research Center survey found that 60% of Iowans identified as Protestant, 18% as Catholic, 1% as belonging to non-Christian religions, and 21% as non-religious.
December 14, 2015: Terry Branstad Becomes Longest-Serving Governor in US History
On December 14, 2015, Terry Branstad achieved the distinction of becoming the longest-serving governor in United States history, surpassing George Clinton's record of 21 years in office, set in 1804. At that time, Branstad had served a total of 20 years, 11 months, and 3 days.
2015: Average Annual Tornadoes in Iowa
As of 2015, Iowa experienced an average of 47 tornadoes annually over the preceding 30 years.
2015: Transportation Costs Impact on Rural School Districts
By 2015, transportation expenditures constituted a substantial portion of the budgets for rural school districts in Iowa. The geographical size of many districts necessitated transporting students over long distances, leading to reduced funding for other educational aspects.
2016: 2016 American Community Survey
The 2016 American Community Survey showed that 5.6% of Iowa's population were of Hispanic or Latino origin. The five largest ancestry groups were German (35.1%), Irish (13.5%), English (8.2%), American (5.8%), and Norwegian (5.0%).
2016: Gary Johnson's Performance in Iowa's 2016 General Election
Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson garnered 3.8% of the votes cast in Iowa's 2016 general election, contributing to the party's subsequent recognition as an official political party in the state.
2016: Republican Control of the Iowa Senate
Following the 2016 elections, the Republican Party gained control of the Iowa Senate.
2016: Growth of Organic Farming in Iowa
By 2016, Iowa had experienced growth in organic farming, ranking fifth nationwide in the number of organic farms. There was also an increase in the demand for locally and sustainably grown food in the state.
2016: Jewish Population in Iowa
As of 2016, approximately 6,000 Jewish people lived in Iowa, with about 3,000 residing in Des Moines.
2016: Major Companies Headquartered in Iowa
As of 2016, Iowa served as the headquarters for three companies ranked among the top 2,000 globally based on revenue: Principal Financial, Rockwell Collins, and American Equity Investment. The state was also home to the headquarters of other notable companies such as Hy-Vee, Pella Corporation, and Vermeer Company.
May 24, 2017: Kim Reynolds Succeeds Terry Branstad as Governor of Iowa
Kim Reynolds assumed the governorship of Iowa on May 24, 2017, succeeding Terry Branstad following his appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to China.
2017: Languages Spoken in Iowa
As of 2017, approximately 2.5% of Iowa's population used sign language.
2017: High School Graduation Rate in Iowa
In 2017, Iowa achieved a high school graduation rate of 91.3%.
2017: Solheim Cup at Des Moines Golf and Country Club
The Des Moines Golf and Country Club hosted the Solheim Cup, a renowned international women's golf tournament, in 2017.
2017: Libertarian Party Gains Official Status in Iowa
The Libertarian Party attained official political party status in Iowa in 2017, following presidential candidate Gary Johnson's performance in the 2016 general election, where he secured 3.8% of the vote.
March 2018: Hog Farming in Iowa
In March 2018, Iowa had a large hog farming industry, with approximately 22.6 million hogs spread across 8,000 facilities, exceeding the state's human population by more than seven times.
May 2018: Iowa's Restrictive Abortion Ban
In May 2018, Iowa enacted one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the U.S., prohibiting abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detectable.
2018: Iowa's Climate Characterized by Heat and Humidity
As of 2018, Iowa's summers are known for heat and humidity, while winters experience freezing temperatures.
2018: Top Countries of Origin for Iowa's Immigrants
In 2018, the primary countries of origin for immigrants to Iowa were Mexico, India, Vietnam, China, and Thailand.
January 2019: Overturning of "Fetal Heartbeat" Law
An Iowa state judge ruled the "fetal heartbeat" abortion law unconstitutional in January 2019.
2019: Iowa's Leading Position in Wind Power
By 2019, Iowa emerged as a leader in wind power generation in the United States. Wind energy accounted for 42% of the state's total electricity production, ranking first in terms of the percentage of power generated from wind. Iowa also held the second position in wind generating capacity with 10,201 megawatts installed, trailing only Texas.
2019: Iowa's Top Ranking in High School Graduation Rates
By 2019, Iowa earned recognition for having the highest high school graduation rate in the nation. The state's education system consisted of 333 school districts, 1,329 school buildings, and maintained a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2, the 14th lowest in the US.
April 1, 2020: Iowa's Population Increases According to 2020 Census
The United States Census Bureau reported that on April 1, 2020, Iowa's population was 3,190,369, reflecting a 4.73% increase from the 2010 census.
2020: Voting Accessibility in Iowa
A 2020 study ranked Iowa as the 24th easiest state for citizens to vote in.
2020: Public Religion Research Institute Study on Religiosity
In 2020, the Public Religion Research Institute conducted a study which found that 26% of Iowa's population identified as irreligious.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Cancels Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair, held annually since 1886 with few exceptions, was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: North American Drought Affects Iowa
The North American drought, spanning from 2020 to 2023, has significantly impacted Iowa.
September 2021: Iowa's Unemployment Rate
As of September 2021, Iowa's unemployment rate was 4.0%.
2021: Iowa Heartlanders Debut
The Iowa Heartlanders, an ECHL hockey team, began playing in Coralville during the 2021–22 season, expanding professional hockey in the state.
2022: Kim Reynolds as Governor of Iowa
As of 2022, Kim Reynolds, a Republican, assumed the role of the 43rd Governor of Iowa.
2022: HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report
In 2022, the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Annual Homeless Assessment Report estimated that there were 2,419 homeless people in Iowa.
2023: North American Drought Affects Iowa
The North American drought, spanning from 2020 to 2023, has significantly impacted Iowa.
January 2024: Iowa Experiences Prolonged Drought Conditions
As of January 2024, Iowa has experienced 187 consecutive weeks of at least moderate drought, marking the longest stretch since the 1950s, with 96% of the state affected by the drought.