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February 25, 1847 – A sign from above – the Marion Meteorite makes its appearance on the day SUI is created in Iowa City!
Did you know that on Thursday, February 25, 1847, in the late morning, the first General Assembly of the newly formed State of Iowa was meeting in the new State Capitol located on Capital Square in Iowa City? Iowa, now the 29th state in the Union, was only 59 days old. And in one of their first decisions, the Iowa Legislature approved a recommendation that this new western state called Iowa, with a total population of just over 100,000 people, will fund a State University of higher learning, located in Iowa City – one that will train up future doctors, lawyers, and other professionals.
Looking back, many wonder how many of those state legislators walked out of the Capitol Building that afternoon, pondering to themselves how very foolish it seemed for this new state, which was barely able to support a state government, to attempt this crazy idea of starting a new state university?
And then, it happened!
Suddenly, in the sunny winter skies above Iowa City, a flash of light appeared, moving from the south to the north, followed by a loud crash. Records indicate that everyone who was outside at the time – 3 PM – stopped whatever they were doing and looked heavenward to see what had just happened. One person wrote: “The sound was like the rolling of a heavy wagon passing swiftly over frozen ground. Swirling smoke was seen in the direction from which the sound seemed to proceed.”
It was only a few days later when the scientific answer came. A 42-pound meteorite had crashed to the ground in rural Linn County near the Cedar River, less than 30 miles north of Iowa City. The sonic boom over Iowa City was so loud, it was heard throughout the countryside and, as reported, attracted considerable attention at the time.
Was this a sign of providence from above? God shining down upon the decision to form SUI?
I only report – you decide.
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