1. In 1950, the first Indianapolis Grand Prix was held on the 2.5-mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This race became a cornerstone of American motorsports and is still held annually today.

2. On September 9, 1965, Ernestine Raclin became the first female bank president in Indiana when she took over the St. Joseph Bank and Trust Company in South Bend. Her leadership paved the way for women in the banking industry.

3. In 1999, NASA launched the WIRE spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, carrying imaging equipment developed at Indiana University. The mission was intended to study the formation of galaxies but was lost shortly after launch.

4. In 1912, the Indiana State Normal School, now known as Indiana State University, opened its doors to students for the first time. Today, it is a comprehensive university and one of the oldest teacher-training institutions in the country.

5. The first successful powered flight in Indiana was made by Percy Pierce in Indianapolis on September 9, 1908. Pierce's flight covered a distance of 150 feet and lasted for several seconds, marking a significant achievement in aviation history.