NATIONAL IOWA DAY

February 7, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog

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.

For starters, Iowa is home to the oldest city in the state, Dubuque. Dubuque was founded in 1788, making it the oldest city in Iowa and one of the oldest settlements in the entire Midwest. Dubuque is also home to the oldest standing church in Iowa, the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which was built in 1833.

Another interesting fact about Iowa is that it has the highest per capita number of bowling alleys in the United States. There are over 400 bowling alleys in the state, which is a lot considering the population of Iowa is only around 3.2 million people. This makes Iowa the perfect destination for anyone looking to spend a day or evening knocking down some pins.

In addition to its love of bowling, Iowa is also home to a number of unique festivals and events. One of the most well-known is the RAGBRAI, or the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. This event is a week-long bike ride that takes place in July and attracts thousands of participants from around the world. The route changes every year, but it always ends up in a different city in the state.

Another quirky festival in Iowa is the National Hobo Convention, which takes place every year in the town of Britt. The convention is a celebration of the hobo lifestyle and attracts hobos and hobo enthusiasts from all over the country. It includes a hobo parade, a hobo queen coronation, and a hobo museum.

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.

Duke in His Own Words: John Wayne's Life in Letters, Handwritten Notes and Never-Before-Seen Photos Curated from His Private Archive Hardcover – October 27, 2015

by Editors of the Official John Wayne Magazine (Author), Ethan Wayne (Introduction) — Duke in His Own Words: John Wayne’s Life in Letters, Handwritten Notes and Never-Before-Seen Photos Curated from His Private Archive Hardcover – October 27, 2015

by Editors of the Official John Wayne Magazine (Author), Ethan Wayne (Introduction)

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

Field of Dreams [Blu Ray] [Blu-ray]

Kevin Costner (Actor), Amy Madigan (Actor), & 1 more

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.

The Real Buddy Holly Story

Sonny Curtis (Actor), Paul McCartney (Actor, Producer), & 1 more — The Real Buddy Holly Story

Sonny Curtis (Actor), Paul McCartney (Actor, Producer), & 1 mor

Complete Recordings

Including La Bamba
Ritchie Valens — Complete Recordings Including La Bamba Ritchie Valens

Iowa is also home to a number of strange and unusual attractions. One of these is the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, which is located in Walcott. The museum is dedicated to the history of trucking and features a collection of vintage trucks, as well as a variety of trucking memorabilia.

Another unusual attraction in Iowa is the National Balloon Museum in Indianola. The museum is dedicated to the history of hot air balloons and features a collection of vintage balloons, as well as a variety of ballooning equipment. Visitors can also take a ride in a hot air balloon at the museum, which offers some of the best views in the state.

In addition to its museums and festivals, Iowa is also home to a number of unique natural attractions. One of these is the Maquoketa Caves State Park, which is located in the eastern part of the state. The park is home to a number of underground caves that visitors can explore, as well as a number of hiking trails and picnic areas.

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.

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

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

One more unusual fact about Iowa is that it is home to the world’s largest Strawberry Shortcake. The giant dessert was created in 2009 as part of the annual Strawberry Fest in the town of Strawberry Point. The shortcake was over 10 feet in diameter and featured over 5,000 servings of strawberries, cake, and cream. It was so big that it had to be sliced and served to the crowd in pieces.

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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.

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NATIONAL HEAVENLY HASH DAY

February 1, 2026February 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

National Heavenly Hash Day on February 2nd recognizes a family favorite that covers a variety of desserts with a common ingredient.

When it comes to defining Heavenly Hash, the only ingredient that seems for certain is a variety of marshmallows, marshmallow creme or whip. Other ingredients vary, though. Some recipes create delicious cakes with chocolate and marshmallow. And yet, others lean more toward a fruit salad with whipped cream and a variety of nuts or chocolate bars added. Nearly every brand of ice cream has its version of Heavenly Hash with nuts and chocolate included, too.

However, the common ingredient seems to always be a form of marshmallow bringing the dish to a heavenly flavor perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHeavenlyHashDay

Make your favorite version of Heavenly Hash. Whether it’s a salad, cake or bar, we’re sure it’s…heavenly. If you don’t have a recipe, we found one for you to try. Be sure to share your favorites, too!

Try this Heavenly Hash Bars recipe from TheKitchn.com.

Use #NationalHeavenlyHashDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY

January 26, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

National Chocolate Cake Day celebrates the cake more people favor. And more often than not, we celebrate our special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays and weddings with cake. Why not enjoy chocolate cake on January 27th every year?

In America, chocolate was consumed primarily as a beverage until the 1830s or 40s. Chocolate cakes, as we think of them today, mostly did not exist then. According to the Dover Post, the chocolate cake was born in 1765 when a doctor and a chocolate maker teamed up in an old mill. They ground up cocoa beans between huge millstones to make a thick syrup. The liquid was poured into molds shaped like cakes, which were meant to be transformed into a beverage.

A popular Philadelphia cookbook author, Eliza Leslie, published the earliest chocolate cake recipe in 1847 in The Lady’s Receipt Book. Unlike chocolate cakes we know today, this recipe used chopped chocolate. Other cooks of the time such as Sarah Tyson Rorer and Maria Parloa all made contributions to the development of the chocolate cake and were prolific authors of cookbooks.

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The first boxed cake mix was created by a company called O. Duff and Sons in the late 1920s. Betty Crocker released their first dry cake mixes in 1947.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateCakeDay

Obviously enjoy Chocolate Cake. Make your own or visit your favorite bakery. Share with family and friends. Use #ChocolateCakeDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY

January 26, 2026December 19, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

National Plan for Vacation Day, on the last Tuesday in January, reminds us to plan our vacation at the start of the year for the rest of the year. The early bird gets to pack their bags and fly away to a little fun and relaxation!

With the frigid temperatures and growing snow piles, it’s easy to start daydreaming of sunny skies. Who else is dreaming of sandcastles and the vacation days to come? But, for many Americans, those vacation dreams turn out to be just that: a dream.

Each year, Americans leave more than 600 million vacation days unused. Our work martyr attitudes combined with a culture of silence in the workplace is keeping workers at their desks instead of using their time off.

To change this, National Plan for Vacation Day reminds us to plan our vacation at the start of the year for the rest of the year. When it comes to taking a vacation, it is the planners of the world who get the job done. Planners are more likely to take all their vacation time in a given work year and take more extended vacations than non-planners. They are also happier with their jobs, relationships, and health. So don’t knock the planners who get out the door to vacation! Get planning!!

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NATIONAL PLAN FOR VACATION DAY HISTORY

National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, is a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the rest of the year at the start of the year. Launched by the U.S. Travel Association’s Project: Time Off initiative in 2017, National Plan for Vacation Day provides an opportunity to come together at a single moment to rally around the importance of planning for a vacation. In its inaugural year, more than 600 organizations, representing all 50 states, came together to encourage Americans to plan for vacation.

About the Founder
Project: Time Off has uncovered an alarming trend over the last 40 years: Americans are taking fewer and fewer vacation days. To reverse this trend, we aim to prove that vacation travel is valuable and necessary for strengthening personal relationships, inspiring creative thinking, improving professional performance, and promoting better health.

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HOW TO OBSERVE PLAN FOR VACATION DAY

Stay-cation is a vacation you take but you stay home during your time off. You may choose to work on projects that you find enjoyable, sleep in, or tour your cities sights. It’s an excellent opportunity to pamper yourself. Sometimes these stay-cations or simply a long weekend. Other times, they incorporate some serious time off.

Even though a stay-cation may be less detailed than a get-away vacation, it still requires planning. You’ll need to request time off from work. Schedule lunch dates with friends and family. Check the hours of the local museums, book stores, and historical sights. Either way, get planning!

Three Easy Steps to Planning a Vacation

Planning a vacation does not have to be a monumental task. Here are three easy steps to make it happen:

Determine how much time off you earn. Look up the number of vacation days you earn by checking with your finance or HR team. Don’t forget to make a note of any office closures.
Coordinate calendars. Plot out your year—enter the number of days you earn, put your vacation dreams on the calendar, and use your custom link to get your family and friends involved in the planning.
Share your plans. Once you have your days determined, use the calendar to export your plans to Outlook, Gmail, or other electronic calendars to share with your boss, co-workers, and family.

As we close out a month of resolutions, make this the year you focus on your bucket list—not your to-do list.

Get ready to plan your vacation and use #PlanForVacation on social media. Be sure to check out our Travel Board too.

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NATIONAL IRISH COFFEE DAY

January 24, 2026December 19, 2025Jensperspectiveblog

National Irish Coffee Day kicks off January 25th each year with a mug of strong coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and topped with a layer of cream.

On a cold, wet day in 1942 weary travelers to the small Shannon Airport in southwest Ireland found their way to a restaurant and chef Joe Sheridan. To warm his guests, he served them hot coffee, spiked with whiskey and topped with whipped cream. The passengers asked if the beverage was Brazilian coffee. Sheridan responded that it was Irish coffee.

A travel writer, Stanton Delaplane, brought Irish coffee to the United States after having it at Shannon Airport.

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Delaplane brought the idea to the Buena Vista Cafe on November 10, 1952. After much trial and error, sampling, and a trip back to Ireland for a taste of the original, Delaplane, along with Buena Vista owners Jack Koeppler and George Freeberg, were able to replicate the delicious coffee and the method for floating the cream on top of the coffee.

If you are looking for a great vacation be sure to check out our beautiful State of Florida. Lean more on the anniversary date of joining there USA.

Traditional Irish Coffee

Starting with a warm glass, fill 2/3rds full of freshly brewed coffee. Stir in a heaping teaspoon of sugar. Add 1 ounce of Irish whiskey.

Adding the cream, so it floats is the tricky part. According to the Buena Vista account, and at the suggestion of San Francisco’s mayor, a dairyman, cream that is 48 hours old, is best. However, others recommend whipping cream (not whipped cream) that has been lightly whipped or foamed.

When the coffee has stopped swirling from stirring in the sugar, pour the foamy cream over the back of a spoon.