1. In 1900, Indiana native James Whitcomb Riley, a renowned poet and author, was awarded an Honorary Degree of Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. Riley's works included numerous popular poems and children's stories, and he was often referred to as the "Hoosier Poet."

2. In 1913, the Great Lakes Navigation Company's S.S. Madiera capsized on Lake Michigan, claiming the lives of 5 crew members. The vessel was carrying a load of lumber at the time of the tragedy and later broke apart, spilling its cargo onto the shorelines of Miller Beach.

3. In 1940, the town of Oakland City was hit by a powerful tornado that touched down in the afternoon hours, causing significant damage throughout the area. The twister destroyed several homes, damaged property, and uprooted trees in its path, leading to injuries and several fatalities.

4. In 1955, Hoosier astronaut Gus Grissom completed his first solo flight in a T-33 jet trainer, logging over an hour of flight time. Grissom went on to become one of the nation's most famous astronauts, earning a spot on the Mercury Seven team and piloting the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft in 1961.

5. In 1992, Vice President Dan Quayle made a speech in Indianapolis in which he famously corrected a student's spelling of the word "potato." The incident, which became known as the "potatoe incident," generated substantial media attention and caused a stir among educators and language experts.