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December 22, 1935 A 22-foot statue of St. Nicholas was completed at Santa Claus, Indiana. The 40-ton statue still stands as a symbol of the festive town.

December 23, 1867 Businesswoman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Madam C. J. Walker is born. In Indianapolis, she establishes a cosmetics company which makes her the first African-American millionaire.

December 24, 1968 Apollo 8 becomes the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon. Commander of the mission is Gary native Frank Borman

December 26, 1956 Evan Bayh is born in Shirkleville, Indiana. He becomes the 46th Governor of the State, serving from 1989 to 1997.

December 27, 1981 Hoagy Carmichael dies in Rancho Mirage, California. Growing up in Bloomington, he became a popular writer of songs, including “Stardust” and “Georgia on My Mind.”

Our Where in Indiana? from last week was taken at Turkey Run State Park.

Where in Indiana?

Do you know where this photograph was taken?

Visit us on Instagram to submit your answer.

Follow us on Instagram: @instatehousetouroffice

Indiana Statehouse Tour Office

Indiana Department of Administration

Guided Tours of the Indiana Statehouse are offered Monday through Saturday. For more information, contact us.

(317) 233-5293
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Indiana Quick Quiz

Name four famous buildings made of Indiana limestone.

Answers Below

For more activities

in IN

https://www.visitindiana.com/

Answers

1. Empire State Building

2. Biltmore Estate

3. Pentagon

4. National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

"Familiarity breeds contentment."

-George Ade

Submitted by Gary Smigh

The beautiful Indiana Statehouse.

Indiana Capitol Tour Office
http://www.in.gov/idoa/2371.htm

By Indiana Department of Transportation

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces construction for the Improve 64 added travel lanes project is expected to begin in early 2026. Pre-construction activities will continue as scheduled, with letting scheduled for November 2025. The project will utilize a design build low bid procurement to encourage innovation in the construction of these corridor improvements.

Improve 64 is part of INDOT’s strategy to reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility along I-64 in Floyd County, enhancing the overall travel experience along the corridor. The improvements will address recent community growth and support continued economic development in the area.

The project includes added travel lanes and interchange improvements to reduce congestion and improve the corridor’s operational efficiency. Bridge and culvert replacements and rehabilitations, noise barriers, and new guardrail and concrete barrier walls on portions of I-64, I-265, and U.S. 150 are also part of the project.

Additional project information can be found at www.improve64.com.

Stay Informed
Motorists in East Central Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts any time via:

Facebook: facebook.com/INDOTSoutheast
Twitter: @INDOTSoutheast
TrafficWise: 511in.org
Mobile App: iTunes App Store and the Google Play store for Android

About the Indiana Department of Transportation
INDOT continues to solidify the Hoosier State as the Crossroads of America through delivery of Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s $60 billion Next Level Roads plan. With six district offices and 3,500 employees, the agency is charged with constructing and maintaining more than 29,000 lane miles of highways, more than 5,700 bridges, and supporting 4,500 rail miles and 127 aviation facilities across the state. For the eighth consecutive year, Indiana has placed within the top ten in the nation for infrastructure in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” rankings. Learn more about INDOT at in.gov/indot.

About Buckle Up Phone Down
Buckle Up Phone Down is a safety initiative adopted by the Indiana Department of Transportation in late 2023. Unrestrained motorists and passengers, as well as distracted driving continue to be contributing factors in fatal and serious injury crashes on Indiana roadways. Buckle Up Phone Down is one of many efforts to change driver behavior and improve roadway safety across Indiana.

The actions are simple: when you get into a vehicle, buckle up. If you are the driver, put the phone down. Every trip. Every time. Learn more and accept the challenge at BUPDIN.com.

Customer Service
1-855-463-6848
www.indot4u.com

December 15, 2007 Julia Carson, American politician (Rep Indiana (D) 1997-2007), dies of lung cancer at 69.

December 16, 1908 Harland Sanders was born in a four-room house in Henryville, Indiana. After many jobs, including farmhand, streetcar conductor and fireman, he created the “secret recipe” for fried chicken that made him famous as the “Colonel” of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

December 18, 1958 The movie “Some Came Running” was released. Filmed primarily in Madison, it starred Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Shirley MacLaine.

December 20, 1865 The Indiana legislature created the Indiana Normal School, which later became Indiana State University.

December 21, 1956 The bust of Sherman Minton was unveiled at the Indiana State House. Governor George Craig led the ceremony honoring Minton, the only native Hoosier to serve on the U. S. Supreme Court.

Our Where in Indiana? from last week was taken in Lebanon, home of the Tigers.

Where in Indiana?

Do you know where this photograph was taken?

Visit us on Instagram to submit your answer.

Follow us on Instagram: @instatehousetouroffice

Hoosier Holidays at the Statehouse

Indiana Statehouse Tour Office

Indiana Department of Administration

Guided Tours of the Indiana Statehouse are offered Monday through Saturday. For more information, contact us.

(317) 233-5293
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Indiana Quick Quiz

1. What American Christmas song was first released by Helmsburg, Indiana, born, Bobby Helms?

2. In what fictional Indiana city did the move "A Christmas Story" take place?

3. How many years has Indianapolis celebrated the holidays by turning the Soldiers and Sailors monument into a giant Christmas tree?

4.How many lights are used to transform the Soldier's and Sailors Monument into a Christmas tree?

Answers Below

For more activities

in IN

https://www.visitindiana.com/

Answers

1. Jingle Bell Rock

2. Hohman, Indiana

3. 62

4. 4,784

"I found that the only thing that does bring you happiness is doing something good for somebody who is incapable of doing it for themselves."

-David Letterman

Please send your favorite Hoosier quote to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank You Indiana Tree Growers!

This year marks the 65th year Indiana tree growers have donated trees to the Indiana Statehouse. Growers participating this year include:

Birch Island Tree Farm, Waldron

Dull's Tree Farm, Thorntown

Sambol's Tree Farm, Fortville

Bohman's Tree Farm, Greensburg

Hensler's Nursery, Hamlet

Millbrook Tree Farm, Yorktown

St. Joe Tree Farm, Ft. Wayne

Oak Hill Tree Farm, Crawfordsville

Piney Acres Farm, Fortville

Sugar Ridge Pines, Centerpoint

Cassens Tree Farm, West Lafayette

Yakey Tree Farm, Fishers.

Indiana Capitol Tour Office
http://www.in.gov/idoa/2371.htm

Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) has been appointed to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for the 119th Congress. As one of the oldest and most influential committees in the House, Energy and Commerce oversees critical areas such as energy policy, healthcare, telecommunications, and economic development.

“It’s an honor to join the House Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “Indiana has a diverse energy sector, a thriving manufacturing industry, and leadership in healthcare innovation. We are eager to get to work advancing policies that secure our energy future, improve healthcare access, and support economic growth.”

Chairman Brett Guthrie praised Houchin’s appointment, emphasizing her qualifications. “Congratulations to Congresswoman Houchin on being appointed to the Energy & Commerce Committee. Erin’s experience representing one of the most dynamic manufacturing districts in the nation uniquely positions her to be a key advocate for domestic manufacturing. I look forward to working with Congresswoman Houchin to lead the way on passing our America First agenda,” said Chairman Brett Guthrie.

As a former Indiana State Senator, Congresswoman Houchin served on the Utilities and the Commerce and Technology Committees, where she gained experience in issues directly aligned with Energy and Commerce’s jurisdiction. Her work included leading one of the nation’s first broadband expansion bills and advocating for bipartisan solutions to strengthen infrastructure and boost regional economic development.

Houchin’s appointment comes at a transformative moment, with the Energy and Commerce Committee playing a major role in addressing some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. This positions Congresswoman Houchin to effectively advocate for Indiana’s 9th District and the critical industries that drive the state’s economy.

Indiana Supreme Court

The Indiana Senate is accepting applications for the 2025 Senate Page Program.

Why it matters: Young Hoosiers are the future leaders of our state, and the Senate Page Program is a unique and exciting way for students to get a real-life civics lesson.

Through the full-day program, students in grades six through 12 have the opportunity to:

Tour Indiana's Statehouse, including an executive branch office

Listen to debates from the Senate floor

Help staff with sge-appropriate tasks

Meet their state senator

The Senate Page Program begins in January and will run through early April.

Pages are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session. Positions fill quickly, so it's important to apply early.

For more information or to submit an application go to https://igapageprogram.as.me/schedule/0b4b8673.