Indiana is second in the nation for producing the most vice presidents, behind only the state of New York. Vice Presidents from Indiana include: Schuyler Colfax, who served under President Ulysses S. Grant from 1869 to1873; Thomas A Hendricks, who served under Grover Cleveland in 1885; Charles W. Fairbanks, who served under Teddy Roosevelt from 1905 to 1909; Thomas R. Marshall, who served under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1921; James Danforth Quayle, who served under George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993. (Source of the information; United State Vice Presidential Museum Web site.)
Vincennes University was the first established university in Indiana and the second oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains is in Indiana.
The Klu Klux Klan came into Indiana in 1820. By 1920, Indiana had the largest membership; in 1923, the leader was from Indiana.2003 reports Indiana still has the largest membership in the nation with 6,000.
In 1992, the state government passed a bill legalizing gambling. The Indianapolis Star reported April 6, 2003 that the gambling industry is now the state's largest taxpayer. It has also been recently reported that Indiana has recently joined 29 other states as part of the international lottery.
In August, 1999, the Dalai Lama chose Bloomington, IN as the place to release "world peace." He returned to Bloomington in September, 2003 and on September 7th he dedicated the Chamtse Ling interfaith temple, the largest North American Buddhist Training Center, whose mission is to promote world peace and harmony.
Indiana has been 2nd in the nation for child abuse.
Indiana has been called the "Sickly State." The Herald-Times reported April 23, 2004 that according to a report by Indiana State Health Commissioner Greg Wilson, out of the 50 states, Indiana ranks: 4th in the number of cancer deaths per 100,000; 5th in smoking prevalence; 9th in overall risk for heart disease; 12th in total mortality; and 15th in infant mortality.
Indiana University Bloomington campus, the site of the Kinsey Institute where teaching and experiments led to international sexual revolution. Many pedophiles and pedophile rings have been traced back to Bloomington.
Christian International's 2nd largest U.S. facility is located in Versailles. The largest employers in the state are: U.S. Government, State of Indiana, Wal-Mart, Indiana University, Eli Lilly, Purdue University, Bank One, Visteon Automotive Systems, Community Hospitals. Key colleges: Indiana University, Purdue University, Ivy Tech State College, Ball State University, University of Notre Dame, and Indiana State University.
Four nations' flags have flown over Indiana: France, Spain, Great Britain and the U. S. of America.
The only Revolutionary War battles west of the Allegheny Mountains were fought in Indiana. The farthest west Naval Battle in the Revolutionary War was fought on the Wabash River in Indiana.
Indianapolis is the site of the largest Scottish Rite Cathedral in the world, and just west of the city is the North American Muslim Center.
Indianapolis is our capital city, known as "Circle City," due to Alexander Ralston, former assistant to Pierre L'Enfant (who planned Washington, D.C.) who planned, mapped and platted the city. It was chosen because of its central location. Ralston's plan called for wide thoroughfares, radiating from a central circle. Indianapolis is now among the top ten hot spots for job growth with more than 65% of the U.S. population residing within a 700 mile radius.
Indianapolis is called the "racing capital of the world," and is home to the Indianapolis 500, the NASCAR Brickyard 400 and the U.S. Grand Prix, the only Formula One race in the United States. The American College of Sports Medicine built its international headquarters in Indianapolis in 1984. The NCAA moved its headquarters there in 1999. The city has hosted more than 230 major national/international events including the U.S. Olympic Festival in1982, and the Pan Am Games in 1987. In 1996, it hosted more pre-Olympic competition than at any other U.S. city.
The French Lick Springs Resort & Spa is one of 174 hotels recognized as a Historic Hotel of America. This is where Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his New Deal Platform.
New Harmony, IN is advertised as the place to "experience Utopia." First a spiritual sanctuary, it became a haven for international scientists, scholars and educators who sought equality in communal living. Visitors from all over the world come in search of the Utopia inspired by George Rapp's Harmonie Society, and the spirit of intellectual and social equality that was Robert Dale Owen's legacy. Robert Owen is reported to have been called to present his plan for "one world government" to the U.S. Congress.