Indiana—The Hoosier State (19)
Capital: Indianapolis
Admitted into Union: December 11, 1816
State Flower: Peony
State Tree: Tulip Tree
State Bird: Cardinal
Population: 6.1 million

The need for speed: In 1911, Ray Harroun won the first Indianapolis 500 in 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 8 seconds. His average speed was 75 mph. When you need a quick getaway, just grab your Indiana Road Tripper and hit the gas.

Manufactured monikers: The name Indiana ("the land of the Indians") was coined by Congress in 1800. Indiana’s nicknamed “The Crossroads of America” because it’s crossed by eight interstates, with 11,000 total highway miles. The origin of Hoosiers, as Indianans are dubbed, is the subject of much debate and little consensus.

Where?! Indiana also boasts some wacky town names, including Akimbo, Alert, Bean Blossom, Buddha, Chili, Denial, and Oolitic.

Underground Railroad: Levi and Catherine Coffin helped over 2,000 slaves escape to freedom via their house in Newport (Fountain City).

Ol’ Blue Eyes open: Frank Sinatra debuted in Indianapolis in 1940 with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

Famous Indianans: Theodore Dreiser, James Whitcomb Riley, Eugene Debs, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, Carole Lumbard, Bill Blass, Anne Baxter, James Dean, Twyla Tharp, Kurt Vonnegut, Jessamyn West, David Letterman, Shelly Long, John Mellencamp, and three astronauts: Charles Walker, Ken Bowersox, and Virgil “Gus” Grissom.

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