1. In 1821, the first state bank of Indiana opened in Indianapolis. It was later renamed the Bank of the State of Indiana and became the largest state bank in the United States.

2. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has hosted the famous Indianapolis 500 since 1911, opened on March 12, 1909. The first race was held on August 19 of that year.

3. In 1945, Indiana Governor Ralph F. Gates signed legislation allowing women to serve on juries in the state for the first time.

4. On March 12, 1955, an Air Force F-94C jet crashed into a residential area in Indianapolis, killing two people on the ground. The pilot and copilot ejected safely.

5. On March 12, 1977, the Indiana Hoosiers won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship by defeating the University of Michigan 86-68. The game was held at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. It was the Hoosiers' fourth national championship and their first under Coach Bob Knight.