This week in Indiana’s history …
1904 – Irish poet and dramatist William Butler Yeats was the guest speaker at the Athenaeum on the campus of Butler University in Irvington. He spoke on the topic, “The Theater and What It Might Be.” He said modern audiences demand expensive stage settings but care little for the worth of the play.
1927 – The Notre Dame Glee Club performed for President Calvin Coolidge at the White House. Earlier in the day, they had entertained in the ballroom of the Mayflower Hotel. The 40 singers presented a variety of classical and religious music, as well as college tunes, such as the “Hike Song” and “Victory March.”
1951 – After six overtimes, the Indianapolis Olympians defeated the Rochester Royals in the longest NBA game in history. Played at Edgerton Park Arena, the contest ended with a close Olympians victory. The final score was 75-73. Two of the overtime sessions were scoreless, and in one neither team launched a shot. The Olympians, in existence from 1949 to 1952, were founding members of the NBA. Their home arena was Butler (now Hinkle) Fieldhouse.
1971 – The Indianapolis Sesquicentennial celebration began at the Murat Theater with a musical extravaganza entitled “We Celebrate Our City.” IUPUI student Diana Buchanan was crowned Sesquicentennial Queen as Mayor Richard G. Lugar cut a giant, tiered cake for the occasion. The 90-minute musical, based on the city’s 150th birthday, included 150 actors, singers and dancers. The show was written by Randy Galvin and was later presented on the stage of his Black Curtain Theater.
1995 – Governor Evan Bayh appointed Myra Selby to the Indiana Supreme Court. She was the first woman and the first African American to serve on the state’s highest court. During her years on the bench, she authored more than 100 majority opinions, including important decisions regarding tort law reform and medical malpractice claims.
2015 – Arthur Carter died in Indianapolis at age 92. He was the last Indiana member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, an African American Army Air squadron which fought in World War II. A graduate of Crispus Attucks High School, he attended Indiana University before joining the service. In 2007, he received the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush.