1883 – Henry F. Schricker was born in North Judson. He ran a weekly newspaper and worked in banking. Elected Governor in 1940, he was limited to one term by the state constitution. However, he won a second term in 1948. Very popular with the public, he was known for his cordiality and his big white hat. He is the only Indiana Governor to have been elected to two full non-consecutive terms.
1898 – Mary Ellen Reynolds was born in Evansville. Under the stage name of Marilyn Miller, she was a dancer, singer and actress. Hugely popular on Broadway in the 1920s and 1930s, she was a star of the Ziegfeld Follies. Her life story was the basis of the 1949 motion picture “Look for the Silver Lining.”
1916 – The Circle Theater opened in Indianapolis. It was the first in the city to be built for the purpose of showing motion pictures. The venue also presented stage shows. Today, the beautiful theater is home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
1924 – Indiana Governor Forrest Branch and former Governor James P. Goodrich were present for the dedication of the Clifty Inn at Clifty Falls State Park. Governor Branch said that the new park system should be a “chain of places of scenic interest conserving the natural beauty of Indiana.”
1949 – Civil War soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic held their final meeting in Indianapolis. Six of the 16 surviving Union soldiers were in attendance, ranging in age from 100 to 106. Indianapolis had hosted many of the GAR meetings over the years.
1973 – The state announced the purchase of a home on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis to be used as the Indiana Governor’s Residence. Governor Otis Bowen and his wife Beth would continue to live at Riley Towers until the home was renovated.