This coming week in Indiana’s history …
1813 – The Indiana General Assembly passed the State Capital Act which moved the Territorial Capital from Vincennes to Corydon. It was agreed that the new capital would be more centrally located and closer to the population center.
1840 – Fanny Vandergrift was born in a home on the Circle in Indianapolis. She married Samuel Osborn, secretary to Indiana Governor Ashbel Willard. After the Civil War, the couple moved to Nevada and California. When Samuel died, Fanny traveled to France, where she met author Robert Louis Stevenson. The friendship led to marriage, and she was his wife and editor for the rest of his career.
1854 – St. Meinrad Archabbey was founded in southern Indiana by two Benedictine Monks from Switzerland. They purchased a 160-acre plot from a local farmer and took possession of a three-room log cabin. The Archabbey continues today as a thriving community of monks who pray, work, and live together.
1934 – W. E. B. DuBois, a prominent African American author, historian, sociologist and civil rights advocate, was the guest speaker at the Senate Avenue YMCA in Indianapolis. One of the founders of the NAACP, he spoke on the topic of segregation.
1962 – Delta Airlines advertised four direct flights daily between Indianapolis and Detroit. Passengers were offered a 72-minute commute between the two cities in the comfort of a Douglas DC-6 four-prop airliner. Tickets each way were $16.55.
2004 – Former Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr died in Indianapolis at age 84. He had served one term in the Indiana Senate, two terms as Lieutenant Governor under Dr. Otis Bowen, and two terms as the 45th Governor of Indiana from 1981 to 1989. He later served three years as the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore.