State Flower:

Peony

State Bird:

Cardinal

State Tree:

Tulip Tree

State Flag:

This flag was designed by an Indiana resident as part of a state-sponsored contest held in 1916 to celebrate its 100th birthday. The torch stands for liberty, its rays stand for enlightenment. The largest star represents Indiana with 18 smaller stars representing the 18 states in the union before Indiana (the 13 outer stars are for the original thirteen states, the other five stars are for the five states added before Indiana).

Famous Person:

William H. Harrison

William Henry Harrison was born on February 9, 1773, the son of Benjamin Harrison, one of the country's Founding Fathers and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Although born in Virginia, Harrison became the Governor of the Indiana Territory in 1801, where he served for 12 years, and where he built his Virginia-like plantation home, Grouseland. He was a Major General in the War of 1812, but achieved national fame as an Indian fighter in the battle of Tippecanoe in Indiana. He was nominated by the Whigs who coined the famous campaign slogan, "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," referring to the vice-presidential candidate on the ticket, John Tyler, who, by the way, was considered a Whig outlaw and coolly regarded by party members. It was a bitterly cold day at Harrison's inauguration as the hatless, coatless, 68-year old President-elect stood reading his speech for two hours. A few days later he caught pneumonia and died, exactly one month after taking office. The Whig's worst nightmare came true. Tyler became President and every Cabinet member resigned, except Secretary of State Daniel Webster.