Indiana

Congress coined the name “Indiana” in 1800, when the Indiana Territory was carved out of the Northwest Territory. The name, which means “the land of the Indians,” was retained when Indiana was admitted to the Union as the 19th state on December 11, 1816. At the time of statehood, native Americans were officially recognized as the owners of most of central and northern Indiana, or about two-thirds of the State. In 1818 the federal government purchased land in central Indiana to encourage settlement. Known as the New Purchase, the land was officially opened for settlement in 1820.

Indiana covers 36,291 square miles, making it 38th in size to the 50 states. The State Motto was adopted by the 1937 General Assembly. “The Crossroads of America” signifies the importance of waterways, railroads, highways and other transportation facilities in the state, viewed by many as some of the finest in the nation. Indiana’s altitude averages 700 feet, ranging from 320 feet in Posey County to 1,257 feet in Wayne County.

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What's A Hoosier?

Beneath The Hoosier State

What time is it in Indiana

Fun Facts:

        Santa Claus, Indiana...This town receives more than one-half million letters and requests at Christmas time. Santa Claus, Indiana is located about 40 minutes west of the Convention site.

        Stolen Profits...In June 1972, Lowell Elliot of Peru, Indiana, was said to have found $500,000 in cash on his farm. It appeared as if the money had fallen from the sky. And in fact, it did. A skyjacker parachuting out of a plane had dropped his stolen profits over Elliot’s farm. Elliot returned the money to the authorities.

        Goldfish...The first successful goldfish farm in the United States was opened in Martinsville, Indiana, in 1899.

        Corn...In a typical year, almost half of all cropland in Indiana is planted in corn.

        The Slippery Noodle Inn...During Prohibition, the Al Brady and John Dillinger gangs were patrons of the Slippery Noodle Inn, one of Indiana's oldest bars. Established in 1850, the Inn considered itself Indiana's oldest bar. The gangs used the building in the rear (originally a horse stable for the Inn) for target practice. Today, several bullets remain embedded in the lower east wall.

        The Indiana Dunes...The Indiana Dunes region provides habitat for many unusual plants, including prickly pear cactus, lichen mosses, bearberry, and more than 20 varieties of orchids.

        Indiana Vice Presidents...There have been five men from Indiana who have been elected vice president: Schuyler Colfax, Thomas A. Hendricks, Charles W. Fairbanks, Thomas Marshall and Dan Quayle. They have earned Indiana the nickname "Mother of Vice Presidents."

Famous Hoosiers:

        Larry Bird...Born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, Larry Bird grew up in both West Baden and the adjoining town of French Lick. A strong basketball player, Bird enrolled at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, and led the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game in 1979. He went on to pursue a 13-year career in the NBA with the Boston Celtics. From 1997 to 2000, Bird served as the coach of the Indiana Pacers for the following three years and is currently the Pacers' President of Basketball Operations.

        James Dean...Born in Marion, Indiana, James Dean spent much of his adolescent life with his aunt and uncle in Fairmount, Indiana. After graduating from Fairmount High School, he went on to study drama at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is most famous for his role as Jim Stark in the film Rebel Without a Cause, which many consider to be the first film to seriously address the phenomena of teen angst.

        Amelia Earhart...A famous aviator, Amelia Earhart is known for her achievements in high-altitude flight, as well as numerous transcontinental speed records. Earhart joined the faculty of Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1935 as a counselor on careers for women. In 1937, she began planning a flight around the world in a Lockheed L-10E Electra, which was purchased through (financed by) Purdue University. On July 2, 1937, after completing nearly two-thirds of her historic flight, Earhart disappeared over the Pacific.

        Florence Henderson...Born in Dale, Indiana, Florence Henderson was one of 10 children and the daughter of a tobacco farmer. She is an actress and singer best known for her role as Carol Brady in the television program The Brady Bunch.

        David Letterman...A graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, David Letterman began his career in broadcasting in his native Indianapolis, Indiana. He worked in radio as a talk-show host and also worked in television as an announcer and weekend weatherman. He now hosts The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS.

        Abraham Lincoln...America's 16th president, moved to Indiana at the age of 7 and spent 14 years in what is now Spencer County in Southern Indiana. It was in Indiana that Abraham Lincoln formed his early ideas about character and honesty and developed a love of learning that stayed with him the rest of his life. This man of humble Hoosier Heritage will long be remembered for his presidency and for his leadership in ending slavery in the United States.

        John Mellencamp...A native of Seymour, Indiana, John Mellencamp is a seasoned musician. With 36 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum records and a Grammy for best Rock Vocal Performace in 1982, Mellencamp has had continued success in the music industry. He continues to call Indiana his home, currently residing in Bloomington.

        Jane Pauley...Margaret Jane Pauley was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, with a bachelor's degree in political science. At the age of 21, she worked as a daytime and weekend newscaster at WISH-TV in Indianapolis. Pauley has had continued success in broadcast media and is best known for her role as a morning correspondent on NBC's The Today Show.

        Dan Quayle...Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dan Quayle received his bachelor's degree in political science from DePauw University. He later became the youngest person ever elected to the U.S. Senate from the state of Indiana. Quayle went on to become the 44th vice president of the United States.

State Emblems:

        Cardinal (State Bird)...When courting a female, the male cardinal will feed her sunflower seeds to win her affection. The male cardinal is also extremely defensive of its breeding territory. Upon seeing its reflection in glass surfaces, the bird has been known to spend hours fighting an imaginary foe.

        Limestone (State Stone)...Known for its durability and resistance to exposure, limestone is especially popular in architecture and has been used to build many landmarks around the world. The Tribune Tower, U.S. Department of Commerce and the Empire State Building, are all made of Indiana limestone.

        Tulip Tree (State Tree)...The tulip tree is the tallest hardwood tree in eastern North America. It can grow taller than than 100 feet and live for 150 years.

        Wabash River (State River)...Flowing uninterrupted for 411 miles, the Wabash River is the longest stretch of free-flowing river in the United States east of the Mississippi River. It is also the subject of the state song, "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," by Paul Dresser.

        Peony (State Flower)...Ants are attracted to the sweet nectar produced by the peony. The ants are harmless to the flower, and many people believe that they return the sweet favor by defending the peony from harmful insects.