-
Period: Jan 1, 1541 to
Recorded History
-
Apr 1, 1541
First Europeans visit Indiana
Spaniard Hernando De Soto and his army travel the American southeast eventually crossing the Ohio River into Indiana at a Native American town called Casqui which is now known as Vincennes. -
Indiana is claimed by the French
The French claim all land from eastern Canada south to the Ohio River Valley. -
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
The first French explorer and fur trader to visit Indiana at what is now South Bend. -
First permanent European settlement
French traders occupy the Native American town Kekionga near Fort Wayne. It remains a trading post until after the Revolutionary War. -
Vincennes
Vincennes becomes the first town built by Europeans in Indiana. It was not until 1732 that Vincennes became a major settlement and was fortified. Vincennes served as the capital of the Indiana Territory starting in 1800 and the newly purchased Louisianna Territory for 9 months in 1804. -
French and Indian War begins
First major conflict between the major powers in and around Indiana changing the balance of power and the future of the region forever. -
French and Indian War ends
The cataclysmic war ends with the Treaty of Paris and control of Indiana changing from French hands to British. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Most Native Americans sided with the French during the war including a prominent Ottowan leader named Pontiac. Dissatisfied with British control over the lands a loose confederation of tribes and warriors began attacking forts and colonists. The violence ended in a stalemate the next year with both sides still harboring discontent. -
Proclamation of 1763
To keep further hostilities from breaking out the English issued the Proclamation of 1763 to halt westward expansion at the Smoky Mountains. -
Word 'Indiana' is first applied to the region
The Indiana Land Company was responsible for selling land to settlers under the Quebec Act which is one causes cited as colonial outbreak of rebellion. -
Native American raids
British agents incite Native Americans into attacking Americans along the frontier. Hundreds of settlers are killed and captured. -
George Rogers Clark
Clark leads an American expedition of 175 men into the Ohio River Valley to gain control of it for the continental army. They captured Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and gained the support of Vincennes. Clark captures Fort Sackville which is in turn retaken by the British which prompts Clark to return and lay siege to the fort. After the war Clark and his men are rewarded with land along the Ohio River on the Indiana side which is now Clark County. -
Surrender of British in Northwest
British Governor surrenders Fort Sackville to Clark breaking British power in the Northwest. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty that ended the American Revolution and gave the United States control of all British lands south of the Great Lakes, land captured by George Rogers Clark. -
Northwest Ordinance
Act by the Federal Government that created the Northwest Territory from land gained by the British in the Revolutionary War which included all of present day Indiana -
Battle of Fallen Timbers
American general Anthony Wayne defeats Tecumseh and establishes a fort near what was Kekionga and names it Forty Wayne -
Indiana Territory
Territory that made up Indiana until 1816 when it became a state. The territory that was left over from Indiana becoming a state became the Illinois Territory in 1809. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
William Henry Harrison, the Governor of the Indiana Territory, leads an American force against a Native American uprising. The uprising was led by a warchief named Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet. Harrison was victorius and gained more land for white settlers. He also caused more resentment which led to further hostilities with Native Americans in Indiana. -
New Capital
The capital moves from Vincennes to the town of Corydon. -
Indiana becomes a state
Indiana becomes the 19th state of the Union -
Treaty of St. Mary's
One of the many treaties signed with the various Native American tribes this one pertaining to the land that encompasses Brownsburg -
Indianapolis becomes Capital
The capital once again moves, this time to the newly built city of Indianapolis. Indianapolis means "Indiana City", combining the word for the state with the greek word for city. The city was planned out by Alexander Ralston. Ralston was apprenticed to and helped the French architect Pierre L'Efant plan out Washington, DC. -
5th Largest State
In 1860, on the eve of the Civil War, Indiana had a total population of 1,350,00 making it the fith largest state in both the North and South. Indiana contributed more than 210,000 men for the armed forces. Indiana's farmland also turned into a vital lifeline for the Union without the South. -
Indiana saves the Union
During the Civil War, an Indiana regiment discovered an envelope with several cigars wrapped in paper. The envelope contained orders for a Confederate division that had camped in the same place the Indiana regiment found the envelope. These orders detailed the Confederates' plans and gave the Union an upper hand in the next battle which they won. The victory halted the Confederate invasion of Maryland and possibly saved the Union. -
First Indianapolis 500
Although not the first long distance race on the track, which had been built in 1909, it was the first time the famous race took place and drew over 80,000 spectators. -
Eli Lilly produces Insulin
Although not discovering it for themselves Eli Lilly and Company were the first to mass produce insulin. This resulted in Lilly becoming a global reaching pharmeceutical company and a major employer in Indiana. Penicilin played a very important role in saving American soldiers' lives during WWII. -
Depression in Indiana
One fourth of Indiana's workforce is unemployed. -
Indiana in WWII
During the 1930's Indiana had suffered greatly due to the Great Depression. With the start of World War Two the economy in Indiana rebounded. Steel, food, and other products were in high demand and Indiana had the industry and workforce to meet those demands. Around 10 percent of the population joined the armed forces. this amounted to 340,000 men and women in which 10,000 lost their lives. The above picture is of a Ernie Pyle, a Hoosier reporter who traveled with soldiers in the pacific. -
Superbowl XLI
The Indianapolis Colts triumphed over the Chicago Bears, 29 - 17, to win the world championship. The team is nationally recognized as being one of the best in the sport. -
Graduation!
See you out in the world! Continue to shape the history of Indiana and make your mark.
