1. In 1937, the Ohio River Flood reached its peak in southern Indiana, inundating over 2,000 square miles and causing severe damage to cities such as Evansville and New Albany. The disaster claimed at least 385 lives.

2. On July 6, 1940, the first ever soap box derby was held in Indianapolis. The event, which was organized by Dayton, Ohio newsman Myron Scott, drew over 300,000 spectators and declared a 10-year-old boy named Robert Turner as the winner.

3. In 1998, NASA astronaut and Indiana native Kevin A. Ford flew on his first space mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. During his 13 days in orbit, Ford and his crew conducted various scientific experiments and deployed a satellite.

4. On July 6, 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The landmark legislation prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement.

5. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the most famous auto racing venues in the world, held its inaugural race on July 6, 1909. The event, which was won by driver Louis Schwitzer, marked the beginning of what would become the iconic Indianapolis 500 race.