January 19, 1857 – The third Iowa Constitutional Convention convenes in Iowa City.
Once this constitutional convention finished their work, the paperwork was then sent to the floor of the Iowa Senate, where on March 5, 1857, it was approved. This new constitution was then ratified by the people of Iowa on August 3, 1857 by a majority of only 1,630 votes. And on September 3, 1857, upon proclamation of Governor James W. Grimes, a new State Constitution went into effect. And it’s this 1857 constitution, with its forty-eight amendments, that is still in effect in Iowa today.
It’s in this new 1857 constitution where 1) the decision on moving the state capital to Des Moines was finally made, and 2) Iowa City would be given exclusive rights to host the State University of Iowa.
A Day-by-Day Calendar of Historical Events In Iowa, William J. Petersen, State Historical Society of Iowa, 1946, p 13
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