1816 – Thomas Lincoln, with his wife Nancy Hanks and children Sarah and Abraham, traveled from Kentucky to a new home in Spencer County in southern Indiana.
1838 – Governor David Wallace and other officials took the first steam train ride in Indiana along 15 miles of track on the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad.
1927 – Indianapolis Postmaster Robert H. Bryson announced the inauguration of air mail service to the city. Postal planes would arrive daily from Cincinnati at 2:45 p.m., depart at 3 p.m., and arrive in Chicago at 5 p.m. The planes, using Wright Whirlwind Motors, could carry two passengers as well as mailbags.
1874 – Charles A. Beard was born in Knightstown. During the first half of the 20th century, he and his wife Mary became two of the most influential scholars of United States history.
1878 – Marshall “Major” Taylor was born in Indianapolis. He became a professional bicycle racer and set numerous world records. He was the first African-American to achieve the level of world champion in any sport.
1941 – The new Central Fire Station opened in Columbus. Among its unique architectural features were rounded glass corners and a circular hose tower.