1876     The Oliver Company in South Bend opened a new factory which employed 400 workers.  The company became famous for its “chilled” plow, which retained its sharp edge and required less cleaning in the field.

1897     A bill was introduced in the Indiana House which would allow the state to use a new formula for squaring a circle.  It also set a new value for pi.  The bill passed the House but failed in the Senate when a Purdue professor explained the mathematical errors in the proposal.

1920     Governor James P. Goodrich called a special session of the Indiana Legislature to ratify the Women’s Suffrage Amendment of the United States Constitution.  Indiana was the 26^th state to approve the amendment, which went into effect nationwide on August 18, 1920.  In signing the legislation, Governor Goodrich called it “an act of tardy justice.”

1937     Dick Durock was born in South Bend.  At over 6 1/2 feet tall, he became a popular stuntman and actor in many movies and TV shows, including Swamp Thing, Incredible Hulk, Magnum PI, Dynasty, and TheRockford Files.

1921     Listed in newspapers were titles of top-selling records from Richmond’s Gennett Studios.  Included were “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia,” “The William Tell Overture,” “Margie,” “Broadway Rose Medley,” “Feather Your Nest,” and “The Bullfighter’s March.”

1989     Dan Quayle took the oath of office to become the 44^th Vice President of the United States, serving under President George H. W. Bush.  He was the fifth Hoosier to serve as Vice President.  He had spent eight years in the United States Senate and four years in the U. S. House of Representatives.

Follow this link to subscribe to Hoosier Hist

Hoosier History Highlights: Oliver Hires in South Bend

Follow us on Instagram: @instatehousetouroffice

Indiana Statehouse Tour Office

Indiana Department of Administration

Visitors are welcome at the Indiana Statehouse Monday through Saturday.  For more information, please contact the tour office.

Note:  The Indiana Statehouse will be closed on Monday, January 16.

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

In what Indiana city is the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center?

     Born in Brazil, Indiana, he became one of the most important union leaders in the nation.  He was never found after he disappeared in 1975, and he was declared dead in 1982.

Answer:  D. Huntington