1. In 1863, the Indiana State Legislature authorized the formation of the Indiana State Board of Agriculture. The board was responsible for promoting agricultural education, research, and economic development throughout the state.

2. On February 26, 1919, Indiana became the first state in the nation to pass a minimum wage law. The law set the minimum wage for women and children at 25 cents per hour and was intended to protect workers from exploitation.

3. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the famous Indianapolis 500, opened its doors for the first time on February 26, 1909. The track was built on a 328-acre site on the outskirts of Indianapolis and quickly became a popular destination for racing fans from around the world.

4. In 1951, the University of Notre Dame announced that it had successfully produced the world's first synthetic penicillin. The breakthrough was seen as a major milestone in the fight against bacterial infections and paved the way for the development of other life-saving antibiotics.

5. On February 26, 1935, the Indiana State Police, one of the oldest state police forces in the country, was officially established. The force was created to provide a more professional and effective approach to law enforcement in Indiana, and it quickly gained a reputation as one of the most respected and efficient police forces in the nation.