America 250: Stories from Iowa's history and how they've shaped the country
Read all our stories of Iowa History to commemorate 250 years of America. We have important stories from Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Mason City, the Quad Cities, and more.
(34) updates to this series since
In commemoration of the country's 250th anniversary, The Sioux City Journal reflects on 162 years of history. From its Civil War origins covering monumental events like the fall of Richmond to Lindbergh's flight, the Apollo 11 moon landing, and the tragic Flight 232 crash, the paper persists in reporting pivotal moments in American history.
Â
Three men who helped shape history in the U.S. and abroad in the early 20th century -- Â Harry Hopkins, W. Edwards Deming and Oscar Micheaux -- called Sioux City home for parts of their lives.Â
In Sioux City, the Bicentennial celebrations began a year before July 4, 1976. One of the first "big" events came in July 1975, when 99-year-old Leah Irvine rode in a helicopter for a ceremonial flyover, landing at that year's River-Cade celebration. Irvine, a resident of Holy Spirit Retirement Home, was born in Sioux City on July 4, 1876. Â
Remember the Bicentennial? Or did you miss it? Either way, check out these awesome photos taken in Sioux City and surrounding communities at t…
Originally published in The Journal on July 4, 1876:Â Sioux City will be placed on her good behavior today, and it will be expected of her that she arise this morning with face wreathed in smiles and prepared to do the agreeable. She must don her best bib and go forth to receive her neighboring guests, welcoming them to this our Centennial Fourth of July celebration, treating them courteously and hospitably while they remain and endeavor to send them away favorably impressed with our city and its commercial importance and our people and their enterprise.
In June 1876, The Journal explained why a house near Perry Creek had sat unfinished for a long time: The property owner accidentally built the structure on an adjoining property he didn't own.Â
As America marks its 250th anniversary, we look back at the past 50 years of the Iowa caucuses testing the mettle of future presidents.Â
Local museums preserve stories found nowhere else. Across Iowa, leaders fear those stories could be lost.
In the early railroad era, Council Bluffs was the fifth largest rail center in the county and was the eastern terminus of the first transcontential railroad.
John Lee, mayor of Mason City
Quovadis Marshall, pastor at Hope City Church in Cedar Falls and Waterloo
Tom Emery has spent his life writing about Illinois history. His latest book includes a chapter on some forgotten Rock Island history.
He started with Matchbox cars. Now his vast collection preserves Davenport’s past, one photo, record and story at a time.Â
A block-and-a-half street in Silvis carries one of the country’s most remarkable military legacies.
From committee meetings to conversations with lawmakers, a Bettendorf student got an inside look at state government.
Founded in the 1830s, St. Anthony’s Church remains a cornerstone of Davenport through service, diversity and outreach to those in need.
A box tucked beneath a wedding dress held an unexpected treasure: an untouched 1976 bicentennial time capsule assembled by a Rock Island woman.
Kathy (Lyons) Tabak shows off a time capsule from America's bicentennial in 1976 that was made by her mother, Rita (Lerch) Lyons.Â
Kathy Tabak, and her husband, Dave, show off Tabak's recent discovery of memorabilia that her mother had saved from America's Bicentennial in 1976
Rock Island's 12th Street and 45th Avenue intersect at what was once the center of the thriving village of Saukenuk.
Illinois bought the nearly 200 acres now occupied by Black State Historic Site in 1927. The nonprofit that preserves the site is planning a ce…
Quarters One might be the most famous, but there are a handful of other officers’ living quarters on the island.
How did the Quad-Cities become the region we know today? These 15 milestones offer answers.
"It's pretty cool knowing that 250 years ago my ancestor, a Canadian at that, was helping establish this country," Hamstra said. "It's not just the nation's history, it's the family's history. It makes it more personal."
As America marks its 250th anniversary, we look back at the past 50 years of the Iowa caucuses testing the mettle of future presidents.Â
Local museums preserve stories found nowhere else. Across Iowa, leaders fear those stories could be lost.
Tom Emery has spent his life writing about Illinois history. His latest book includes a chapter on some forgotten Rock Island history.
He started with Matchbox cars. Now his vast collection preserves Davenport’s past, one photo, record and story at a time.Â
A block-and-a-half street in Silvis carries one of the country’s most remarkable military legacies.
From committee meetings to conversations with lawmakers, a Bettendorf student got an inside look at state government.
Founded in the 1830s, St. Anthony’s Church remains a cornerstone of Davenport through service, diversity and outreach to those in need.
Rock Island's 12th Street and 45th Avenue intersect at what was once the center of the thriving village of Saukenuk.
Illinois bought the nearly 200 acres now occupied by Black State Historic Site in 1927. The nonprofit that preserves the site is planning a ce…
Quarters One might be the most famous, but there are a handful of other officers’ living quarters on the island.
How did the Quad-Cities become the region we know today? These 15 milestones offer answers.
