Indiana Day
A place known for its charming Midwestern hospitality and diverse landscapes, it's got bustling cities and serene countryside in spades.
Celebrate Indiana's Midwestern heritage and historical significance with localized tourism and community engagement campaigns tied to statehood pride.
- Discover Indiana's role in American history: from the Battle of Tippecanoe to the Underground Railroad
- Explore charming Midwestern towns and historic landmarks that shaped a nation
- Local businesses celebrate Indiana statehood with heritage-themed promotions and events
- Travel guides highlight Indiana's diverse landscapes and bustling cultural centers
Indiana Day celebrates the state’s admission into the Union during 1816. Indiana had originally been land that American settlers would fight over land with the Native American tribes. This would continue until 1811 at the Battle of Tippecanoe. The battle was fought between General, and future president, William Henry Harrison, and the Native American warriors led by the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. After the battle was won and Harrison’s soldiers burnt the Native territories to the ground, Indiana entered into the Union on December 11, 1816, as the 19th state of the union.
Indiana has since been a state steeped in American history. Because Indiana was part of the Union in the North, Indiana provided shelter for runaway slaves during the American Civil War. The community of Newport, Indiana was part of the Underground Railroad, as the community helped over 2,000 slaves make their way north to freedom. Indiana had also helped develop National Railroad during the 1830’s, earning its title of being the “Crossroads of America”. Since then, Indiana has been a staple part of America as it had helped lead the eastern colonies westward during the Great Expansion and the holiday itself celebrates this, as it was first instituted in 1925 by the Indiana General Assembly and is now celebrated throughout the state in schools and workplaces.