The state takes its name from the Iowa tribe, a people of American Sioux Indians. The word is said to come from ayuhewa (“sleeping”). Iowa is located in the Midwest of the United States. The first Europeans to explore the region were French. Officially, the first Americans moved to the country in June 1833. They were originally from Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. On December 28, 1846, Iowa joined the United States and became the 29th state of the Union. During the American Civil War, Iowa supported the Union of Northern States, despite an anti-war movement known as “Copperhead” forming in the country. The opponents of the war were mostly Catholics and settlers who came to the country from the southern states. In Iowa itself there was no hostilities, but the country sent supplies to the army. After the civil war, the population almost doubled within ten years from 1860 to 1870. After the United States entered World War I, Iowa experienced significant economic growth, and Iowa’s industry also grew strongly during World War II. However, agriculture is still the country’s main industry and the main crops are potatoes and corn, pork, beef and dairy products. A center of the insurance industry is located in Des Moines. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of Iowa.