1. On January 4, 1821, the first session of the Indiana General Assembly was convened in Corydon, Indiana. This marked the first time that the state's legislative body met after Indiana achieved statehood on December 11, 1816.

2. On January 4, 1887, the Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Eastern Traction Company was incorporated. This allowed for the development of an interurban rail network that connected cities and towns throughout central Indiana. It was ultimately short-lived due to the rise of the automobile industry.

3. On January 4, 1937, the Indiana University School of Medicine was established in Indianapolis. It has since grown to become one of the largest medical schools in the country.

4. On January 4, 1974, basketball coach Gene Keady led his first game as head coach of Purdue University. Keady went on to become one of the most successful coaches in Boilermaker history, leading the team to six Big Ten championships and 17 NCAA Tournament appearances.

5. On January 4, 2010, the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Baltimore Ravens 20-3 in the AFC Wild Card Game. The game was notable for featuring the coldest kickoff temperature in NFL playoff history: a frigid 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The Colts went on to reach the Super Bowl that year but lost to the New Orleans Saints.