1. On April 2, 1827, the Wabash and Erie Canal Company was incorporated in Indiana. The canal system was a major transportation artery and facilitated economic growth across the state.

2. In 1844, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in Indiana advocating for the abolition of slavery. This speech helped solidify his reputation as an anti-slavery politician.

3. On April 2, 1945, Indiana native Ernie Pyle, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who wrote about World War II, was killed by Japanese gunfire on the island of Ie Shima. His death was mourned across the country and highlighted the sacrifices made by journalists covering the war.

4. The 1954 Indiana school funding crisis began on April 2, when the state's Supreme Court invalidated the current funding system as unconstitutional. The crisis led to significant changes in how schools were funded in the state, and set a precedent for education funding reform nationwide.

5. The NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, commonly known as March Madness, has several ties to April 2 in Indiana history. The 2006 championship game was held on this date in Indianapolis, with the University of Florida winning their first title. Additionally, Indiana University won the championship on April 2, 1987, with a last-second shot by Keith Smart against Syracuse.