On February 8, National Iowa Day recognizes The Hawkeye State.

The 29th state to join the United States is known for fertile prairie, rolling hills, raising innovative people and some nostalgic movie moments. From the Mississippi River to the harvests in Plymouth, Harrison or Fremont counties, Iowa’s history, beauty and hospitality flourish.

The state was named for Iowa Native Americans who populated the area when European settlement forced Eastern tribes westward.

Acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase, Iowa Territory settlement didn’t start to take place until around the 1830s.

Iowa Official

State Capital – Des Moines
State Nickname – The Hawkeye State
State Motto – Our Liberties We Prize
State Language – English
State Bird – Eastern Goldfinch
State Vegetable – Sweet Corn
State Soil – Toma Soil
State Crop – Corn & Soybeans
State Rock – Geode
State Tree – Oak
State Song – Song of Iowa

Other Fascinating Faces and Places

One of the later settlements that remain today is the Amana Colony. A congregation of the Community of True Inspiration, their faith and persecution in Germany led them to immigrate to America for religious freedom. Iowa supplied fertile farmland and a home for them to practice their skills and their beliefs. Today, they open their community to the public. Shop for handmade gifts, homemade baked goods, wine and stay for a home-cooked meal.

In the southwestern part of the state, Madison County boasts beautiful covered bridges which were featured in the movie by a similar name. While touring the bridges, be sure to stop by Winterset and take in the birthplace of John Wayne.

Not far from the Mississippi River, The Field of Dreams home is just outside Dyersville. They built it so that you would come.

For fantastic performances in a historic rock and roll venue, check out the events at the Surf Ballroom. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper played their last concerts at the Surf Ballroom the night they perished in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

Nature lovers will find plenty of adventure in Iowa. Effigy Mounds National Park will satisfy those with a mystical and historical curiosity. Rockhounds should seek out Geode State Park. The Corps of Discovery’s Louis and Clark Trail come through Iowa, too.

Iowa Flavors

Pork tenderloin
Maid Rites
Morel mushrooms
Pella Bologna
Iowa Sweet Corn
Muscatine melons
Stertzings Potato Chips
A & E Chip Dip
Twin Bings
Blue Bunny Ice Cream

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalIowaDay

From the Quad Cities to Shimek Forest, Iowa offers city and country to explore. Join us as we examine the 29th state’s dynamic people and pioneering history. Travel byways and discovery Iowa’s stunning scenery! Use #NationalIowaDay to share on social media.

For a complete list of Iowa State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks and www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.

Dolliver Memorial State Park – Lehigh

Geode State Park – Danville

McIntosh Woods State Park – Ventura

Shimek State Forest – Farmington

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610136

Viking Lake State Park – Stanton

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610135

Iowa Old Capitol Building – Iowa City

Salisbury House – Des Moines

Effigy Mounds National Monument – Harpers Ferry

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum – Decorah

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library – Cedar Rapids

Union Pacific Railroad Museum – Council Bluffs

MacNider Art Museum – Mason City

American Gothic House – Eldon

Living History Farms – Urbandale

Sergeant Floyd – Iowa

Museum of Danish America – Elk Horn

Western Historic Trails Center – Council Bluffs

Little Brown Church – Nashua

Historic Squirrel Cage Jail – Council Bluffs

Bentonsport National Historic District – Bentonsport

Beedle Park Heritage Train – Cresco

Amana Heritage Museum – Amana

Notable People

Antonine Barada – Folk Hero – (August 22, 1807 – March 30 1885)

George Gallup – Statistician – (November 18, 1901 – July 26, 1984)

Winifred Asprey – Mathematician – (April 8, 1917 – October 19, 2007)