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'''Iowa''' is located in the Midwestern region of the [[United States]] and on December 28th, 1846 became the twenty-ninth state to enter into the union. During the [[American Civil War]], Iowa supported the United States. The capital of Iowa is [[Des Moines]], which is also its largest city. The current governor of Iowa is Terry Branstad ([[Republican]]).

'''Iowa''' is located in the Midwestern region of the [[United States]] and on December 28, 1846 became the twenty-ninth state to enter into the union. During the [[American Civil War]], Iowa supported the United States. The capital of Iowa is [[Des Moines]], which is also its largest city. The current governor of Iowa is Terry Branstad ([[Republican]]).

The [[Iowa Caucus]] is the first primary contest for [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] [[president]]ial candidates.  That makes it an important campaigning spot for prospective candidates.

The [[Iowa Caucus]] is the first primary contest for [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] [[president]]ial candidates.  That makes it an important campaigning spot for prospective candidates.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, the Iowa legislature passed an 'English-Only' bill with the effect of making English the state's only official language.  The names of Des Moines, Dubuque, and Cerro Gordo counties were unaffected.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, the Iowa legislature passed an 'English-Only' bill with the effect of making English the state's only official language.  The names of Des Moines, Dubuque, and Cerro Gordo counties were unaffected.

Iowa was the first Midwestern state to legalize [[same-sex marriage]].<ref> [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101103/NEWS09/11030390/Iowans-dismiss-three-justices Iowans dismiss three justices]</ref> It was not by legislation, but through [[judicial activism]].  

Iowa was the first Midwestern state to legalize [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101103/NEWS09/11030390/Iowans-dismiss-three-justices Iowans dismiss three justices]</ref> It was not by legislation, but through [[judicial activism]].  

On April 3, 2009, in a unanimous decision, the Iowa state supreme court overturned a 10-year-old ban on same-sex marriage.  The decision states, "“This approach does not disrespect or denigrate the religious views of many Iowans who may strongly believe in marriage as a dual-gender union, but considers, as we must, only the constitutional rights of all people, as expressed by the promise of equal protection for all.”  The only way to overturn this decision is through an amendment to the state constitution, which would not be possible until 2012 at the earliest.<ref>The Des Moines Register, ''Unanimous ruling: Iowa marriage no longer limited to one man, one woman'', by JEFF ECKHOFF and GRANT SCHULTE, April 3, 2009 [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090403/NEWS/90403010]</ref>

On April 3, 2009, in a unanimous decision, the Iowa state supreme court overturned a 10-year-old ban on same-sex marriage.  The decision states, "“This approach does not disrespect or denigrate the religious views of many Iowans who may strongly believe in marriage as a dual-gender union, but considers, as we must, only the constitutional rights of all people, as expressed by the promise of equal protection for all.”  The only way to overturn this decision is through an amendment to the state constitution, which would not be possible until 2012 at the earliest.<ref>The Des Moines Register, ''Unanimous ruling: Iowa marriage no longer limited to one man, one woman'', by JEFF ECKHOFF and GRANT SCHULTE, April 3, 2009 [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090403/NEWS/90403010]</ref>