1836 – A celebration took place in Brookville for the breaking of ground for the Whitewater Canal. When work stopped in 1847, the canal stretched 76 miles from Lawrenceburg to Hagerstown.
1847 – Theodore Clement Steele was born in Owen County. He studied art at home and abroad and gained fame as a member of the “Hoosier Group” of artists in the early 20th century.
1954 – Baseball legend Dizzy Dean delighted his audience at the Indianapolis Athletic Club as he honored the Indianapolis Indians. Dean, who often used “ain’t” and “slud” in his colorful baseball broadcasts, was a guest of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.
1997 – Comedian Red Skelton died in California at age 84. As a boy, he entertained audiences in his hometown of Vincennes. He became a star of vaudeville, radio, movies, and television. The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy in Vincennes provides visitors with his life story and many samples of his humor.
2001 – Terrorists attacked the Twin Towers in New York City. Within 24 hours, Task Force One from Indianapolis was assisting at Ground Zero. The team, made up of firefighters, dog handlers, and paramedics from Marion County, worked 12-hour shifts around the clock for 10 days.
2011 – The statue Victory was returned to the top of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Indianapolis. It had been down for repairs and refurbishing for five months.