1865 – John J. Williams from Jay County died at the Battle of Palmito Ranch in Texas. He is widely considered to be the last soldier killed in action during the Civil War.
1869 – Indiana ratified the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution. The law prohibits the denial of voting rights based upon race or skin color. Indiana was the 14th state to approve the measure.
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 for the occasion and performed by John Philip Sousa and his orchestra.
1928 – The Emboyd Theater opened in Fort Wayne. The movie theater and vaudeville house included a seven-story hotel. Now known as the Embassy Theater, the venue retains its majesty, including the original Page Theater Pipe Organ.
1946 – Over 20,000 people went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to witness the first day of qualifications since 1941. The 500-Mile Race had been halted during World War II. Winning the pole position was Cliff Berger, with an average speed of 126.471 mph.
1988 – Orville Redenbacher, the “popcorn king,” was awarded an honorary Doctor of Agriculture degree from Purdue University. He had graduated from Purdue 60 years earlier. Born in Brazil, Ind., he also lived in Valparaiso and is honored there by a life-sized statue.