1887 – The Indiana General Assembly began the session in the new Statehouse in Indianapolis. The building, under construction since 1878, had not officially opened. However, the chambers for the Senate and House of Representatives were ready for use.
1900 – Service began on an Interurban line from Indianapolis to Greenwood to Franklin and back. Riders could purchase six tickets for 25 cents. By 1910, every city within a 120-mile radius of Indianapolis could be reached by electric Interurban cars.
1921 – Francis P. Hamilton launched the first Indianapolis radio station. The first studio was in Hamilton’s garage on North Alabama Street. Mayor Samuel “Lew” Shank spoke on the air for the first broadcast.
1921 – John C. Ruckleshaus, president of the Columbia Club in Indianapolis, announced that his organization would play a major role in the upcoming inauguration of President Warren G. Harding. It was noted that Harding would be the first President in history to ride to his inauguration in an automobile.
1938 – Tests were conducted on a new device that could measure alcohol by means of a breath test. Developed by Indiana University biochemist Dr. Rolla N. Harger, the “drunkometer” was first used by the Indiana State Police on New Year’s Eve 1938.
1970 – Indianapolis adopted “Unigov,” which expanded the city’s boundaries to include nearly all of Marion County. Overnight, the Indiana capital went from the 26th to the 11th largest city in America.