1880     Famous orator and social reformer Frederick Douglass was in Madison, Indiana, campaigning for presidential candidate James A. Garfield.  Douglass, a former slave, spoke to a large crowd at the corner of Broadway and Main.  He continued his talk at the Jefferson County Courthouse.  The local newspaper called it a “powerful speech.”  On the same tour, Douglass spoke in several Indiana cities, including Noblesville, Muncie, Winchester, Columbus, Evansville, and Fountain City.

1887     Called the “Laborer’s Holiday,” one of the first Labor Day celebrations was held in Indianapolis.  Thousands turned out for a parade which began at the corner of Delaware and Market Streets.  The long procession moved through the downtown section and ended at the exposition grounds north of the city.  There a large picnic was enjoyed, along with foot races, baseball, and a greased-pig race.  Many labor unions were represented in the crowd, including stone cutters, tailors, bakers, furniture makers, typographers, plumbers, and car makers.

1915     Indianapolis artist Johnny Gruelle received a patent for the design of a doll named “Raggedy Ann.”  He had grown up in the Lockerbie Street neighborhood of James Whitcomb Riley, and legend has it that the character was inspired by Riley’s poem “The Raggedy Man.”  Raggedy Ann and her brother Raggedy Andy, featured in a series of books, have become icons in American popular culture.

1951     The Hadacol Goodwill Caravan arrived in Indianapolis for a performance at the Midget Speedway Stadium on 16th Street.  The program offered a wide variety of talent and big name stars, including Hank Williams, Carmen Miranda, Tony Martin, Dick Haymes, Minnie Pearl, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, and Jack Dempsey.  The show was free to those who brought a boxtop from Hadacol, a liquid vitamin supplement advertised on radio.

1976     Rosalynn Carter was in the state on a campaign tour for her husband, Jimmy Carter, who was running for President.  She made stops in Lafayette, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and Indianapolis, where she walked around the Circle and spoke with former Governor Matthew Welsh.

The 9/11 Memorial on West Ohio Street in Indianapolis was dedicated in 2011 to honor those killed in the attack in New York. The memorial includes two 11,000 pound beams from the Twin Towers.

2001     Terrorists attacked the Twin Towers in New York City.  Within 24 hours, Task Force One from Indianapolis was assisting at Ground Zero.  The team, made up of firefighters, dog handlers, and paramedics from Marion County, worked 12-hour shifts around the clock for ten days.

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Indiana Statehouse Tour Office

Indiana Department of Administration

You are invited to take a “Virtual Tour” of the Statehouse by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

(317) 233-5293
touroffice@idoa.in.gov  

Indiana Quick Quiz

     Match the Hoosier movie stars to their films.

1.  Steve McQueen   2.  Marjorie Main  3.  James Dean   4.  Carole Lombard    5.  Anne Baxter

A.  Giant     B.  The Razor’s Edge  C.  Bullitt      D.  My Man Godfrey  E.  Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town

Answers Below

Hoosier Quote of the Week

“I may have faults, but being wrong isn’t one of them.”

– – – Jimmy Hoffa (Labor Union Leader, born in Brazil, Indiana, in 1913.  His disappearance in 1975 remains a mystery.)

Did You Know?

     Frederick Douglass was a towering figure of the 19th century.  Born into slavery, he rose to become a highly-respected orator, writer, and statesman.  In 1889, the Hoosier President, Benjamin Harrison, appointed Douglass minister (ambassador) to Haiti.  Harrison and Douglass held a great mutual respect for each other.  According to Harrison biographer Charles W. Calhoun,  Douglass said, speaking of Harrison, “To my mind, we’ve never had a greater President.”

Take an “Armchair Tour” of the Indiana Statehouse

ANSWERS:  1.  C    2.  E    3.  A    4.  D     5.  B