Moment of Indiana History

"Moment of Indiana History" was a weekly two-minute radio program exploring Indiana History. The series was a production of WFIU Public Radio in partnership with the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS).

The program began as a co-production of WFIU, Bloomington, and WBAA, West Lafayette as a module to air on IPBS radio stations. From 2007 to 2014, the series was produced by WFIU for broadcast by IPBS stations as well as other entities interested in Indiana history. Now being re-released every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

A painting depicting the Kewanee Council of Potawatomi leaders and U.S. government representatives near the Potawatomi village of Kee-Waw-Nay. The meeting was held to settle details for the impending forced removal of the Potawatomi people from northern Indiana.

An Ignominious Governorship

On Governor David Wallace's watch, the internal improvements program bankrupted the state and the Potowatomi Indians were exiled to Kansas by armed militia.

A map titled "The Underground Railroad" which uses color coding and arrows to show the paths to freedom. Slave states are shown in blue, free states and territories in green/yellow, and red arrows indicate the various routes leading north to free states and into Canada.

Looming Large In Anti-Slavery Lore

An illustration depicts the First Battle of Bull Run, fought on Sunday, July 21, 1861, between the Federal Army under Major General McDowell and the Confederate Army under Generals Johnston and Beauregard. The image shows Union troops advancing, with soldiers, horses, and wagons in the foreground and middle ground.

Some News Is Good News: Waiting For Word On The Home Front

A Motorcade Fit For A Prince

The trip from Indianapolis to Lafayette in 1904 took four and a half hours of driving time, not considering numerous stops for cooling and tire changing.
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis: Art Outlives Scandal In New Harmony

A series of sketches in the Owen Family Papers bearing the pseudonym “Clorion” have lately been attributed to Richard Owen's wife Martha.
The 1850 Census And The Lost Citizens Of Richmond

Richmond had grown rapidly since the construction of the National Road, so citizens were dismayed to discover their town had officially decreased in population
Terre Haute’s Advocate for Childcare Reform

Childcare advocate Lyman Alden was ahead of his time, and the children who passed through Rose Orphan Home benefited from his compassion and dedication.
Win-Win: The Mutual Ascent Of Basketball And Radio

And when station owners went looking for popular programming that would draw fans and encourage advertisers, they discovered that one sure bet was basketball.
Traitors To The Union? Democrats In Civil War-Era Indiana

During the Civil War, Indiana Republicans continually worried that many Hoosier Democrats were conspiring with the South to overthrow the state government.
Remembering The Show On The Road

At the turn of the last century, traveling chautauquas brought rural and small town residents cultural entertainment with a religious component.
Suddenly, Last Summer (In Lafayette)

In 1849, no one knew what caused cholera—a miasma in the air emanating from filth in the street, or living a life that was dissolute or intemperate
Indiana’s Second Poet Laureate

Hoosier Poet Laureate Norbert Krapf's love of place runs throughout many of his writings.
Tin Cans Strung Across The Cornfield

In the 1910s and 1920s, many farmers created their town small telephone systems.

A Moment of Indiana History is a production of WFIU Public Radio in partnership with the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations. Research support comes from Indiana Magazine of History published by the Indiana University Department of History.