January 24 – January 30The Week in Indiana History |
||||||||||||||||
  “In grammar school . . . I always kept a small tablet in my desk and at every chance I would sneak a drawing into it. Often I’d be surprised to find the teacher standing over me and my tablet would be taken away. One particular teacher, however, snatched my tablet away just as the others had done and marched to the front of the room with it. But then, turning to the class, she said, ‘I want you to see what William has been doing.’ With an amused smile, the teacher turned the pages for all to see. After returning the tablet, she encouraged me, saying ‘I hope you will do something with drawing someday.'” – – – William Peet (1915 – 2002)
Did You Know?   Among the many interesting and historic sites in the town of New Harmony is the Labyrinth. Many people might call it a maze, but technically it is not. A maze has multiple courses which do not necessarily lead to the middle. A labyrinth has a single path. As long as travelers keep going, they will eventually end up at the center. The early citizens of New Harmony considered the labyrinth to be a place of reflection and meditation. The path, always going forward, represented life’s journey, which is not always easy.
STATEHOOD DAY: Learn more about the three branches of State Government ANSWERS: 1. D   2. B   3. C     4. A |
||||||||||||||||
1826   Robert Dale Owen welcomed a “Boatload of Knowledge” to the young community of New Harmony, Indiana. Led by geologist William Maclure, the passengers included many prominent artists, educators, and scientists. Traveling from Pittsburgh on a boat named Philanthropist, they landed at Mount Vernon and traveled by wagon to New Harmony.
1937   Eleven days of heavy rain created massive flooding along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Indiana cities along the Ohio set record flood levels, including Madison, Lawrenceburg, Aurora, and New Albany. Two-thirds of Evansville and nearly all of Jeffersonville were under water. The National Guard and members of the Works Progress Administration helped with cleanup.
1946   In an innovative joint broadcast, four Indianapolis radio stations helped raise funds for the fight against polio.  Governor Ralph Gates went on the air to introduce the program, which included Reid Chapman from WISH, Joe Pierson from WFBM, Everett Howard from WIBC, and Wally Nehrling from WIRE. News was presented by Gilbert Forbes with sports reports from Tom Carnegie.
2009   Katie Stam of Seymour was crowned “Miss America.”  She was the first person from Indiana to win the honor. In high school, she was a 4-H member and showed dairy cattle at the Jackson County Fair. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in communication.
