Volume 18, Issue No. 5, Sept/Oct 2026
While millions of U.S. Armed Forces servicemen were fighting the Axis powers overseas during World War II, millions of women back home were supporting the war effort by working in factories to manufacture everything from airplanes to clothing for U.S. servicemen. These women were given the nickname “Rosie the Riveter” and they filled wartime labor shortages in the defense industries and civilian services. In Iowa more than 70 factories had military contracts and they hired thousands of women to turn out items for the war cause as author Linda Betsinger McCann writes for our cover story.
Publisher Michael Swanger reminds readers of when Babe Ruth suited up for practice with Drake University’s football team 100 years ago. See some rare photos of the Sultan of Swat in Des Moines!
Explore the functional and decorative history of barn cupolas that can be seen across Iowa from Dave Austin of the Iowa Barn Foundation.
Celebrate the University of Northern Iowa’s 150th anniversary. Kevin Mason, assistant professor of history at UNI writes about the institution that’s true in spirit, strong in knowledge.
Author Jerry Harrington shares how West Branch’s Scattergood Hostel welcomed European refugees fleeing Nazi persecution during World War II.
Grab a snack and settle in for this one. “Country Roads” columnist Arvid Huisman shares tells how Iowa has long been a big player in the production of popcorn.
TO READ MORE FASCINATING STORIES ABOUT IOWA HISTORY, subscribe to Iowa History Journal. You can also purchase back issues at the store.