1. Indiana officially became a state on January 1, 1816. After years of being a part of the Indiana Territory, this date marked the beginning of Indiana's statehood.

2. The first ever Rose Bowl football game was held on January 1, 1923. The game was played in Pasadena, California, but it featured the Indiana Hoosiers, who played against the University of Southern California.

3. The Indiana Toll Road officially opened on January 1, 1956. The 157-mile toll road runs from the Ohio state line all the way to the Illinois state line.

4. On January 1, 1971, the Indiana Pacers played their first game in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They lost to the Cincinnati Royals 107-99. The Pacers had previously played in the American Basketball Association (ABA).

5. In 2010, Indianapolis hosted the first ever World Choir Games in the United States. The event, which is often referred to as the "Olympics of Choir Music," was held from July 4 to July 14, but the Indiana State Museum hosted the opening ceremony on January 1, 2010.