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STATE SYMBOLS
State Flag:
The Iowa General Assembly adopted the State Flag of Iowa, designed by Dixie Cornell Gebhardt of Knoxville, The state flag
consists of three stripes -- blue, white and red. The blue stands for loyalty, justice and truth; the white for purity; and the red for courage. On the white center stripe is an eagle carrying blue streamers inscribed with the words: "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain."
FAMOUS IOWANS
Mamie Doud Eisenhower
Wife of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Suffragist leader whose efforts resulted in women’s right to vote
Celebrated frontier scout and Wild West showman
John Vincent Atanasoff
Inventors of the digital computer .
State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch
The eastern goldfinch was chosen as the state bird in 1933 because it is commonly found in Iowa and often stays through the winter..
State Flower: Wild Rose
The wild rose was designated the state flower in 1897. Wild roses are found throughout the state and bloom from June through late summer.
IOWA FILMS
In 2002, Iowa led the nation in the production of pork, corn, soybeans and eggs.
FARM FACTS
Photo / Division of Travel
Oscar-winning actor remembered for cowboy and combat hero roles
Film and television actor seen in That ’70s Show
Elijah Wood
Actor and star of the Lord of the Rings trilogy
Donna Reed
Academy Award-winning actress and star of It’s a Wonderful Life
Meredith Willson
Composer of the Broadway musical The Music Man .
Norman Borlaug
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and father of the Green Revolution
Glenn Miller
Big Band leader and popular musician of the Swing Era
IOWA QUICK FACTS
IOWA BOOKS
Herbert Hoover
West Branch native who became 31st president of the United States. Led effort to feed battled-scarred after WWII.
One of the world's most popular travel writers grew up in Des Moines.
Mac Kinlay Kantor
Author and screenwriter whose work includes Civil War novels and the movie classic The Best Years of Our Lives
Henry A. Wallace
Served under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and founded Pioneer
Hi-Bred International
Leader of the Regionalist art movement and painter of American Gothic
Simon Estes
World-renowned opera singer
Des Moines is located on the banks of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.
Statehood
Iowa became the 29th state on December 28, 1846.
Capital City:
Des Moines, founded at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers; originally a military outpost.
Nickname:
The Hawkeye State. The nickname was adopted early in the state's history. Two Iowa
promoters from Burlington are believed to have popularized the name.
Demographics:
In 2003, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the state's population to be 2,944,062. About 94 percent of the people are Caucasian.
Top Industry:
Agriculture still fuels the state economy but recent years has seen growth in banking, and insurance.
Some of Hollywood's most popular movies in recent years were filmed in Iowa. Click here to see a list of Iowa films.
Home to the Iowa Writers Workshop and major
publishers like the Meredith Corporation, the state has been home to scores of successful
writers over the years. Click here for a list of independent book sellers.
IOWA411
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Content Copyright 2006-2008 essentialiowa.com
WILD IOWA
Thirteen birds and mammels, including the Peregrine Falcon, are on the state's list of Endangered Species. Click here to see them.
NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS
The first registered national historic landmark in the United States, the Floyd Monument marks the spot where a soldier on the Lewis and Clark Expedition died from an appendicitis attack in 1804. The 100-foot tall white stone obelisk overlooks the Missouri River Valley.
In all, there are 21 National Historic Landmarks in the state, including several river boats, the Amana Colonies, Terrace Hill in Des Moines and the Mines of Spain near Dubuque. Click here to see the entire list.
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