This week in Indiana’s history …
1893 – A reception was held at the Indiana Statehouse to honor General Benjamin Harrison. He was returning home to Indianapolis after serving four years as President of the United States. Addresses by Indiana Governor Claude Matthews, Mayor Thomas Sullivan of Indianapolis, and the Honorable Charles W. Fairbanks welcomed him home. Governor Matthews said, “Four years ago Indiana was united in the honor done to one of her sons. Tonight she welcomes him back again.”
1905 – Indiana began the first statewide registration of motor vehicles. For a fee of $1, the owner was given a two-inch diameter disc with registration number to be mounted on the vehicle.
1923 – Jazz musician Wes Montgomery was born in Indianapolis. One of the best jazz guitarists of the 20th century, he influenced countless others and changed the role of the guitar in popular music. He died in 1968.
1928 – The first basketball game was played at Butler Fieldhouse, the largest arena in the nation at that time. Butler defeated Notre Dame 21–13 in overtime. In 1966 the name was changed to Hinkle Fieldhouse to honor legendary Butler coach Tony Hinkle.
1942 – A new army camp in Southern Indiana was officially named for General William Wallace Atterbury from New Albany. The facility played a big role during World War II and continues today as an important military training center.
1955 – Indiana Governor George Craig made the cover of Time Magazine. He was described as the “swift-footed, swashbuckling lawyer politician at the Crossroads of America.”