1. On October 8, 1869, Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, officially opened its doors to its first class of students. The university was established through a donation from John Purdue, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist, and has since become one of Indiana's leading academic institutions.

2. In 1953, the first successful open-heart surgery in Indiana was performed on October 8 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Dr. Richard Varco and his team successfully operated on a young girl who had a congenital heart defect, paving the way for future advancements in cardiac surgery in the state.

3. On this day in 1949, a tornado swept through Southern Indiana, killing 12 people and causing significant damage. The storm system, which also affected parts of Illinois and Kentucky, was part of a larger outbreak of tornadoes that hit the Midwest that week.

4. In 1915, Indianapolis held its first annual Indiana State Fairgrounds Speedway race on October 8. The event, which drew thousands of spectators and drivers, featured a 100-mile race on a one-mile dirt track. The Speedway has since become a staple of Indiana's rich racing history, hosting the world-famous Indianapolis 500 every year.

5. On October 8, 1984, United States Vice President George H.W. Bush visited Fort Wayne, Indiana, as part of his re-election campaign. During his visit, he spoke to a crowd of supporters at the Coliseum and met with local leaders and business owners. Bush ultimately went on to win the election, serving as Vice President for another four years before he was elected President in his own right in 1988.