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#   Entered Union   Year Settled

19th       Dec. 11, 1816      1733

 

Nickname

Hoosier State

 

Rank      Population

16th       6,376,792

 

Rank      Square Miles

38th       36,418

 

State Bird

Northern Cardinal

 

State Flower

Peony

 

State Tree

Tulip Tree

 

State Motto

The Crossroads of America

Indiana means "land of the Indians." It joined the Union in 1816 as the 19th state. Today, Indiana is a state of mostly small towns and midsize cities. Its largest city and capital is Indianapolis, where the nation's most famous auto race, the Indianapolis 500, is held each year. The state's residents are commonly referred to as "Hoosiers" although no one seems certain just how the name originated.

 

Indianapolis 500

You've probably heard of the Indianapolis 500, but did you know that this auto race is held in a place that some people call "The Brickyard"?

 

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was originally built in 1909 as a place where Indiana automobile manufacturers could test and race their new cars. In its early years, the Speedway was paved with bricks. Even though most of the bricks have now been paved over, people still call it "The Brickyard."

 

The Speedway was opened to the public in 1911 for the Indy 500, a world-famous automobile race that has taken place there almost every year since then. More than 300,000 people come out to watch the race, making it the biggest single-day sports event in the world. The track is 2.5 miles around. The race itself is 500 miles long, however, so the cars have to make 200 laps around the track to complete the race.

 

Johnny Appleseed

You've probably heard about the legendary "Johnny Appleseed" who, according to story and song, spread his apple seeds all over the nation. Did you know there really was a "Johnny Appleseed"? His name was Jonathan Chapman.

 

Born in Massachusetts on September 26, 1775, Chapman earned his nickname because he planted small orchards and individual apple trees during his travels as he walked across 100,000 square miles of Midwestern wilderness and prairie. He was a genuine and dedicated professional nurseryman.

 

In 1801, Chapman transported 16 bushels of apple seeds from western Pennsylvania down the Ohio River. He had acquired more than 1,000 acres of farmland on which he developed apple orchards and nurseries. But he didn't just stay there. Chapman's work resembled that of a missionary. Each year, he traveled hundreds of miles on foot wearing a coffee sack with holes cut out for arms and carrying a cooking pot, which he is said to have worn like a cap over his flowing hair.

 

About 1830, Chapman also acquired land in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There, he planted a nursery that produced thousands of seedling apple trees that he sold, traded, and planted elsewhere. It's no wonder he became a legendary figure with his cheerful, generous nature, his love of the wilderness, his gentleness with animals, his devotion to the Bible, his knowledge of medicinal herbs, his harmony with the Indians, and above all, his eccentric appearance.

 

Fort Wayne still celebrates the life of "Johnny Appleseed" with a festival every September when apples are harvested. Next time you bite into an apple, think of the man who spread wealth through apples, Jonathan Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed."

 

Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous

Have you ever called someone's bluff? That's when you see if a person meant what he or she said or was just pretending. During the Revolutionary War, the Colonists often had to bluff their way to victory. That's what happened in 1779 in Vincennes, Indiana.

 

The battle was over the capture of Fort Sackville. Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark, the elder brother of explorer William Clark, led the Colonial forces. Clark relied on two things. First, he counted on his troops' expert marksmanship. Second, he used a classic military bluff.

 

Clark had only 200 buckskin-clad pioneers as troops, but he had his men raise enough flags for 600! Believing himself overwhelmed by so many troops, British Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton surrendered the fort. If Hamilton had called Clark's bluff things might have turned out differently.

 

The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous is a Revolutionary War battle re-enactment held annually on Memorial Day weekend. The event celebrates the capture of Fort Sackville in 1779. Today, participants of the Vincennes Rendezvous include artisans, strolling musicians, and re-enactors portraying soldiers and camp followers. Revolution-era food is served, such as buffalo burgers, turkey legs, and homemade pies.

 

Elwood Haynes

Have you ever heard of Elwood Haynes? Well, maybe you have heard of some of his inventions: stainless steel, the thermostat, and the horseless carriage.

 

Born in Portland, Indiana on October 14, 1857, Elwood Haynes invented one of the first successful gasoline-powered automobiles. He also invented stainless steel, the thermostat used in houses, and many other items. As a young boy, Haynes was curious about how things worked. When he was 12 he read his sister's college chemistry book, and by 15 he was experimenting with alloys, metallic substances made of two or more elements.

 

In 1886, natural gas was found in Haynes's hometown. After this discovery he organized a company to supply it to the town. In 1893, he purchased a gasoline-powered engine and designed a "horseless carriage," or auto. Haynes then went on to invent the muffler and different metal alloys. Specifically, he invented stellite alloy, which may be his most important invention. This metal alloy was the first step in the development of a series of space-age alloys.

 

Are you interested in science and scientific experiments? Maybe you could be the next Elwood Haynes.