Today is National Indiana Day. Each state in the United States has a national day celebrated on the date it became a part of the U.S. Therefore, we celebrate National Indiana Day and the books about the great state.
The state of Indiana has a plethora of fascinating facts about it and many intriguing people who call or have called Indiana their home. Known as the Hoosier state, there are several theories that swirl around the meaning of the name, where it came from, and why the people of Indiana are called Hoosiers. Can you let us know your favorite theory?
A Little History
Did you know… Indiana Fun Facts
- Indiana was admitted as the 19th state of the union on December 11, 1816.
- The oldest state symbol is the state song, On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away, written by Terre Haute native, Paul Dresser. It became the state song on March 14, 1913.
- The flag contains 19 stars representing the state and the states that were admitted prior to Indiana.
- The tulip tree became the state tree in 1931.
- In 1933, the Indiana General Assembly chose the cardinal as the state bird. You can spot this bright red (male) and brown/red (female) bird easily in Indiana, especially in the winter
- The peony gives off a sweet, refreshing floral scent the peony. It is no wonder it was selected in 1957 as the state flower replacing the colorful zinnia.
- Yes, Indiana has a state poem written by Arthur Franklin Mapes of Kendalville. Indiana, the poem, was adopted by the General Assembly in 1963.
There are many enriching books that revolve around Indiana from sports to murder mysteries that will not only inform you but also entertain you. Here are a few you can find at Cardinal Publishers Group.
Indiana Crosswords, 3E by H.W. Kondras
If you love puzzles and trivia, you will love this book that challenges your knowledge of the Midwestern mecca of corn and basketball. Read about famous people hailing from the state, the wildlife you will find there, Hoosier sports and of course Indy racing, Indiana crime, and the many Indiana festivals.
Seek & Find Indiana by H.W. Kondras
Learn more about the state and have fun doing it with this puzzle book.
The Indianapolis 500 by Lew Freedman
The first Indy car race was held in 1911 when most people didn’t even own a car. This book runs down the history of the Indy 500.
I Love IU, I Hate Purdue by Joe Drozda
College sports fans will love reading about the rivalry between Indiana and Purdue.
Summer Wind by Randy and Roxanne Mills
Detailed letters written by Indiana soldier, Dick Wolfe to his wife, mother, and friends while in Vietnam in 1967-1968. He wrote from his large base camp and also in quick messages from his tent-covered hole by the light of a single candle. Read the fascinating and heartbreaking story of his time during the war.
A Golden Bond by Elaine Jannetides
Angie, the daughter of Greek immigrants, found herself facing many unwanted challenges in her teen years. She fought hard and worked harder to get her senior class ring only to have it stolen from her. We follow the ring as it travels around the world, and come back to Angie’s many struggles in this coming-of-age tale taking place in the mid-1950’s sleepy but developing city of Indianapolis.
Anthologies – A Collection of Short Murder Mysteries from The Indiana Sisters in Crime
Hoosiers Through and Through by Terry Hutchens
This book features 583 basketball players from the state of Indiana who have played basketball at Indiana University in more than 110 years of competition.
Following the General by Terry Hutchens
Long time Indiana beat writer, the late Terry Hutchens takes an in depth look at three IU coaches, and reflects back at what went well and not so well in their time in Bloomington, Indiana.
So You Think You Know Indiana University Basketball by Terry Hutchens
Here IU fans are given the ultimate in IU basketball trivia.
Reborn by Mark Montieth
This is the stirring account of the city-wide determination to establish the Pacers basketball team and the captivating early seasons when the franchise first took root to what it has become today.
For the Kids
ABC Indiana by Adriane Doherty
Kids and parents alike will have fun learning and teaching the alphabet while discovering the amazing places that make up Indiana. A little ducky is hidden on the pages of the book for children to
seek and find.
Sweet Dreams Indiana by Adriane Doherty
Take a trip through the Hoosier state with this book as your children get ready for a good night’s sleep. They will learn about the sights, sounds, and places that make up the great state of Indiana.
This book is available in hardcover and as a board book.
To see more excellent books and titles on other topics, go to our book shop. If you have any questions, you can contact us here or give us a call at 317-352-8200.
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Happy Reading ~ Ginger Bock