This week in Hoosier History Highlights for the week of Nov. 19:
1885 — Thomas A. Hendricks died while on a visit to Indianapolis. At the time of his death, he was serving as United States Vice President under Grover Cleveland. He had served as a Congressman from Indiana, a U.S. Senator and an Indiana Governor. His home was in Shelbyville.
1916 — Celebrated actor John Barrymore was on stage at the English Opera House on the Circle in Indianapolis. He was starring in the John Galsworthy play “Justice.” Nearly everyone in the cast at the English had appeared with Barrymore in the original New York production.
1933 — Over 100 more projects were approved by the Indiana Civil Works Administration, giving jobs to nearly 6,000 men. This raised the total to 294 projects employing nearly 21,000 who had lost their jobs due to the Depression.
1959 — L. V. Phillips, Commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, led dedication ceremonies for the Chrysler Fieldhouse in New Castle. Now called the New Castle Fieldhouse, the arena has seating for over 9,000 people. It is considered the world’s largest high school gym.
1963 — Indiana Governor Matthew E. Welsh proclaimed a 30-day mourning period following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas. The Governor and his wife Mary attended the President’s funeral in Washington.
1968 — Sammy L. Davis, a graduate of Mooresville High School, was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic service in Vietnam. The honor was bestowed upon him by President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House.