1806     On their return from their famous expedition, William Clark and Merriwether Lewis stopped in Vincennes.  During their three-year journey, they had explored lands of the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest.  In Vincennes, they drafted a letter to send to President Thomas Jefferson in Washington.

1903     Two trains collided near 18^th Street just northwest of downtown Indianapolis.  One was carrying Purdue football players and fans to the annual Indiana/Purdue game which was to be held in the capital city’s Washington Park.  Seventeen people were killed in the wreck, including 14 members of the Purdue football team.  Scores of others were seriously injured.  Among the survivors was Purdue team captain Harry G. Leslie, who went on to serve as the 33rd Governor of Indiana (1929 – 1933).

1932     On his first campaign for the presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to over 80,000 people on Monument Circle in Indianapolis.  He was joined by his wife, Eleanor, on the balcony of the English Hotel.  In his remarks, he said, “It will be the purpose of the new administration to bring order out of chaos.”

1938     The “War of the Worlds” radio drama convinced many listeners that Martians had invaded the Earth.  The classic story by H. G. Wells was presented as a series of news bulletins that interrupted regular programming.  In Indianapolis, a woman ran into a church during Sunday evening services to report that the world was coming to an end.  (Pictured:  Headline from The Indianapolis Star)

1960     Comedian Jack Benny appeared on stage as guest soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Izler Solomon.  For the star of vaudeville, radio, TV and movies, it was a benefit performance to a full crowd at the Circle Theater.  He kept the audience laughing while playing his violin between jokes.  Referring to the thousands of dollars Benny raised for the orchestra, newspaper critic Charles Staff said, “The music he makes may be sour, but the money he makes for others in a good cause is sweet.”

1963     On Halloween night, a propane tank exploded during a performance of “Holiday on Ice” at the Indiana Fairgrounds Coliseum.  The blast killed 74 people and injured more than 400.  The explosion propelled people, chairs, and concrete 40 feet into the air.  The gas had been sparked by an electric popcorn machine.

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     Fun fall festivals can be found throughout Indiana. Match the festival to its location.

Answers below

     On Sunday night, October 30, 1938, a woman ran into St. Paul’s Methodist Church.  It was the middle of the evening service for the church, located at Rader and Eugene Streets in Indianapolis.  This lady was one of many who had been listening to a radio program entitled “The Mercury Theater On the Air” hosted by Orson Welles.  When she rushed into the church to report that the world was coming to an end, Pastor Charles Lizenby took it calmly.  He paused for a moment of prayer and then allowed concerned members to go home if they wished.  Some of them left for a short while, but many returned soon to say it was all a false alarm.  Media accounts of the time indicated that out of the six million listeners of the program, nearly one million thought the Martians were real.

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