This coming week in Indiana’s history …
1816 – The Indiana Constitutional Convention began in Corydon. The 43-member assembly elected Jonathan Jennings as president and William Hendricks as secretary. The delegation produced a document which, among its provisions, forbade slavery and made public education a state responsibility.
1842 – The carriage carrying former United States President Martin Van Buren was overturned on the muddy National Road in Plainfield. Legend has it that this was a joke played on Van Buren, who had vetoed a bill to improve the roadway. Observers noted that the former President’s starched white shirt was soiled and his boots were full of mud. He reportedly went to a nearby tavern to clean up.
1909 – Indiana Governor Thomas R. Marshall issued a proclamation urging Hoosiers to observe Flag Day on June 14. Many cities in the state had been celebrating the flag on this date for several years. The holiday received national endorsement by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.
1927 – President Calvin Coolidge led a large Flag Day parade in Hammond from the train depot to the new Wicker Memorial Park, which the President dedicated to World War I veterans. Despite his reputation as a man of few words, the President gave a lengthy speech emphasizing the sacrifices of soldiers during the War and the importance of this region of the nation.
1969 – One final gala event was held at the famed Claypool Hotel at the northwest corner of Illinois and Washington Streets in Indianapolis. Over 1,000 people attended a black-tie ball, where they toasted the town and danced until midnight. At the stroke of midnight, a fireworks display preceded the thud of a wrecking ball as demolition of the old building began. When opened in 1903, the Claypool reportedly had the largest hotel lobby in the nation.
1988 – A huge cherry picker disguised as a giraffe greeted thousands of people who attended the grand opening of the Indianapolis Zoo at its new location in White River State Park. The $64 million facility was the result of a fundraiser that had been kicked off by eminent zoologist Marlin Perkins.