This week in Indiana’s history …
1812 – The War of 1812 began. Indiana Territorial Governor William Henry Harrison left office to help lead soldiers in the 32-month conflict between the United States and Great Britain and its Native American allies.
1884 – The cornerstone was laid for the new Gibson County Courthouse in Princeton, Ind. Designed by the McDonald Brothers of Louisville and constructed by Joseph Miller of Washington, Ind, the cost was $118,000. The magnificent structure is one of the many splendid county courthouses in the state.
1910 – The nation’s first licensed aviation meet was held at the Motor Speedway. Planes and their operators came from all around the country to compete in various speed, altitude, and endurance events. Orville and Wilbur Wright were there with their team of six planes. During the week, one of their pilots, Walter Brookins, set a new altitude record of 4,384.5 feet. Newspapers called the pilots “air wizards.”
1918 – Former President Theodore Roosevelt addressed a large crowd at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis. He spoke of the importance of supporting the American military as the nation was engaged in World War I. The next day he was in Bloomington to serve as the commencement speaker for the class of 1918 at Indiana University. The majority of the graduates were women, since most of the men were in uniform. Roosevelt paid special tribute to Civil War veterans who were in the audience for the ceremony.
1922 – The Circle Theater in Indianapolis announced the installation of their new Wurlitzer organ. It was advertised as “a modern musical wonder” and “the world’s greatest achievement in moving picture music.” The instrument had “the sound of a 100-piece theater orchestra produced by only two hands on a keyboard.” The organ would be an important complement to the movies of the era which had not yet developed sound technology.
1938 – Grace Julian Clarke died in Indianapolis. She earned degrees from Butler University and spent her life advancing women’s social and political reform. At the Statehouse, she founded the Legislative Council of Indiana Women. A writer for the Indianapolis Star, she was an important force behind Indiana’s 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment. An advocate of international peace, she lobbied for the League of Nations.