This week in Indiana’s history…
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 26th state to approve the amendment, which became effective nationwide in August of 1920. In signing the document, Governor Goodrich described the measure as “an act of tardy justice.”
1876 – The Oliver Company in South Bend opened a new factory which would employ 400 workers. The company became famous for its “chilled” plow, which retained its sharp edge and required less cleaning in the field. The company soon dominated the industry, selling over 62,000 plows in 1878 alone.
1916 – Purdue University named 18-year-old Fred Thomas of Posey County the “Corn King” for the second year in a row. His crop yielded an average of over 126 bushels of corn per acre. He and 10 other agricultural contest winners were given a free trip to Washington, D.C. There they shook hands with President Woodrow Wilson and took a tour of the White House. Later they met with Vice President Thomas Marshall, former Governor of Indiana.
1931 – Will Rogers, cowboy philosopher and star of radio and movies, flew into Indianapolis and landed at Mars Hill Airport. He was full of his usual wisecracks, but he grew serious when he mourned the recent death of his friend Kin Hubbard, popular Indiana author and cartoonist. Rogers called Hubbard “America’s greatest humorist.”
1943 – Construction was completed on the United States Pentagon. The building, which includes 6.5 million square-feet of office space, is covered with Indiana limestone. Finished in only 16 months, it is the largest office building in the world, spanning over 28 acres.
1958 – Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis were on stage at the Murat Theater for two performances. Cash had already scored a number one country song with “I Walk the Line.” Lewis was riding high with his top hit, “Great Balls of Fire.” Reserve seats for the show were $2.50, with general admission at $1.75.