1. St. Patrick's Day: March 17 is celebrated as St. Patrick's Day in Indiana, just like the rest of the world. The day honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and has been celebrated in Indiana since the late 1800s.

2. Indianapolis 500: March 17 marked the beginning of construction for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909. The iconic speedway is home to the Indianapolis 500, the world-famous car race held each year on Memorial Day weekend.

3. Basketball: March 17, 1928, saw the first-ever official game of high school basketball played at the Fieldhouse in Shelbyville, Indiana. The game was played between Milan High and Shelbyville High.

4. Military installations: Indiana has a long history of military installations, and March 17 marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Indiana National Guard. The Guardsmen have served in many conflicts throughout the state's history, including the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

5. Statehood Day: March 17 is also known as Statehood Day in Indiana, marking the day in 1816 when Indiana was officially admitted as the 19th state of the United States. Every year, the state celebrates this occasion with a variety of events and activities, including parades, music performances, and historical reenactments.