1842 – Kentucky statesman Henry Clay made a major address in Richmond, Ind. Clay served many years in both the United States House and Senate, was Secretary of State under John Quincy Adams and ran for President three times. In Richmond, his remarks in defense of slavery were roundly criticized.
1849 – James Whitcomb Riley was born in Greenfield. Beginning as an itinerant sign painter and musician, he became the “Hoosier Poet” and one of the most famous people of his time.
1850 – Indiana’s Second Constitutional Convention convened in Indianapolis. The 150 delegates met in the house chamber of the Statehouse. They finished their work in 127 days, and the document they formed, with amendments, continues to serve as the foundation of Indiana state government.
1895 – Walter Bedell Smith was born in Indianapolis. He attended Emmerich Manual High School before enlisting in the Indiana National Guard. He spent over 40 years in the military, rising to the rank of four-star general. During World War II, he was Chief of Staff for General Dwight D. Eisenhower. After the war, he served as Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Director of Central Intelligence and United States Under Secretary of State.
1917 – The Indianapolis Public Library opened in a new building on St. Clair Street. Built on land donated by James Whitcomb Riley, the limestone structure was hailed by the Architectural Forum as “the most beautiful secular building in the United States.”
1942 – The Indianapolis Star reported that the city’s scrap metal drive had been highly successful. Over 300 tons of scrap had been accumulated so far, aided by the collections of the city’s 75,000 school children. The metal would be taken to steel mills to help support the country’s efforts in World War II.