This week in Indiana’s history …
1869 – Indiana ratified the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution. The third and last of the “Reconstruction Amendments,” the amendment prohibits the denial of voting rights based upon race or skin color. Indiana was the 14th state to approve the measure. It was passed into law by the United States Congress on Feb. 3, 1870.
1876 – Colonel Eli Lilly opened a laboratory on Pearl Street in Indianapolis. He had three employees, including his 14-year-old son Josiah. The firm grew over the years to become one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
1902 – The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was formally dedicated in Indianapolis. General Lew Wallace was Master of Ceremonies. The program included the reading of a poem by James Whitcomb Riley and music written and performed by John Philip Sousa and his band.
1946 – 24-year-old Doris Day appeared at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. A singer with Les Brown and his “band of renown,” she had already scored a number-one hit record with “Sentimental Journey.” She recorded many other hits before going to Hollywood, where she starred in scores of popular movies.
1961 – Newspapers carried reports about the early stages of the massive $850 million interstate highway system. Interstates 70 and 74 would carry east-west traffic through Indiana, and Interstates 65 and 69 would run from north to south. Interstate 465 was proposed as a beltway around the city of Indianapolis. The highways would transform the state and its cities in many ways.
1989 – Indiana Governor Evan Bayh signed a bill which created the state lottery. The legislation also allowed for pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. A constitutional prohibition against a lottery had been repealed the previous November.