Indiana’s state capital is Indianapolis. It is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer especially when it comes to celebrities and famous inventions.
Indianapolis is Indiana’s capital. It is also Marion County’s county seat. In 2006, the estimated population of Indianapolis has reached 795,458. This is excluding the towns. This made Indianapolis, the largest city of Indiana and the United Sates’ fourteenth largest city. In the Midwest, it ranks as the 3rd largest city. It also ranks the 2nd most populous state capital, following Arizona ad Phoenix.
With the current diversified economy of Indianapolis, it contributes to the fields of healthcare, education and finance. Another vital part of its economy is its Tourism industry, especially since it hosts numerous sporting events and conventions. Amongst these, the most loved and popular is the Indianapolis 500 Race. Aside from this, they hosted the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament as well as the Allstate 400.
Interesting Facts about Indiana
The 1st long distance auto race was held here on May 30, 1911 at the Indianapolis /motor Speedway. The winner had an average of 75 miles per hour, bagging the 1st place with $14,000. The average speed is currently estimated to be more than 167 miles per hour, with the prize reaching $1.2 million. This has made the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the site for the greatest sports spectacle, the Indianapolis 500. This is held every weekend of Memorial Day, right along Hoosier capital city. It is about 500 miles or 200 laps long.
At the age of 7, Abraham Lincoln reportedly moved to Indiana, and he lived most of his boyhood in Spencer County. He lived with his proud parents, Nancy and Thomas Lincoln.
From Fort Vincennes, explorers Clark and Lewis set out to explore the Northwest Territory.
In Huntingburg, the “Hard Rain” movie was filmed.
The P 47 fighter plane was reportedly manufactured At Republic Aviation in Evansville and used during World War II.
In the year 1914, the Raggedy Ann doll was created by Indianapolis’ Marcella Gruelle.
On May 4, 1871, in Fort Wayne, they played the 1st professional baseball game.
On February 8, 1941, a popular movie star of the late 1950’s known as “James Dean” was born in Marion. He became popular for movies like “Rebel without a Cause” and “East of Eden”. Hence, at the age of 24, he died because of an automobile crash.
On April 12, 1947, the popular television host of “Late Show with David Letterman,” David Letterman was born in Indianapolis.
Santa Clause is city and namesake of the popular Christmas figure. The locals believe that the city receives more than half a million requests and letters during the Christmas season.
Indianapolis is where they publish The Saturday Evening Post.
Amidst the meaning of “Indiana” as the “Land of the Indians,” is it noted that there are no more than 8,000 Native Americans residing here now.
The “Circus Capital of America” was formerly Peru, Indiana.
In the years 1816 up to 1825, Corydon was Indiana’s state capital. When Indiana was still a territory, Vincennes served as its capital. Now, Indianapolis is its capital city.
The rapid fire machine gun was invented by Indianapolis’ Richard Gatling in the year 1862.
Sarah Walker is one of the region’s first woman millionaires. She is more known as Madame J. C. Walker, and she started as a door to door saleswoman of her very own concoction of a conditioning treatment meant for straightening hair. Later on, she amassed millions with her invention.
In the year 1804, in Vincennes, the 1st newspaper of Indiana, Indiana Gazette was published.