1. In 1791, the Indiana Territory was officially established by the United States government, marking the beginning of Indiana's path towards statehood.

2. On February 17, 1809, future United States President Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Lincoln played a pivotal role in ending slavery and preserving the Union during the American Civil War.

3. In 1865, the Indiana State Senate approved a proposal to create a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. The proposal was introduced by Governor Oliver P. Morton, who called on citizens to come together in prayer to help heal the wounds of the Civil War.

4. On February 17, 1925, the Indiana General Assembly passed a bill legalizing the teaching of evolution in public schools. The legislation was a response to the famous Scopes Trial, which had taken place the previous year in Tennessee.

5. In 1978, the first National Fiddlers' Contest was held in Indianapolis. The event, which was organized by the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest and Festival Association, brought together some of the best fiddlers from around the country to compete for prizes and national recognition.