This week in Indiana’s history …
1876 – Ernest M. Viquesney was born in Spencer. He became a sculptor, most famous for Spirit of the American Doughboy, a statue honoring soldiers of World War I. It was reproduced many times and can be found across America in front of city halls, courthouses and libraries. There are thought to be 140 still standing, including 11 in Indiana.
1899 – Marshall “Major” Taylor of Indianapolis won the 1-mile world championship in bicycling at Montreal. He was one of the first African American world athletes, setting numerous records in bicycle racing. The open-air velodrome in Indianapolis is named in his honor.
1919 – Allen County Judge William N. Ballou held court in a Fort Wayne theater to witness a film which showed striking workers interfering with operations at a local manufacturing plant. The newspaper reported that “as far as is known, it was the first time in the history of jurisprudence that a playhouse has been used as a courtroom and the silent art employed as evidence.”
1927 – Over 200,000 Hoosiers cheered Colonel Charles Lindbergh as he rode in a 14-mile parade from Mars Hill Airport to the State Fairgrounds Coliseum. It had been less than three months since “Lucky Lindy” had completed his historic flight over the Atlantic Ocean. He spoke at the Coliseum and later at the Columbia Club. The reporter for The Indianapolis Star said the reception was so great that “previous demonstrations in the city’s history faded into obscurity.”
1928 – Hollywood producer Frank Melford was in Indianapolis to produce a local “Our Gang” two-reel comedy. Broad Ripple Park was the locale for the silent film which featured local youngsters as “stars” and over 500 more as “extras.” The plot involved a pie-eating contest which ended up with more pies being thrown than eaten. The movie premiered a week later at the city’s Palace Theater.
1987 – The Pan American Games opened in Indianapolis. Participating were more than 4,300 athletes from 38 different countries. Over 1,000 medals were awarded in 30 sports at 23 venues in and around the city. The major international event was carried out with the help of 37,000 volunteers.