Indianapolis, IN
Retro Indy: Every 50 years NYE starts a national birthday celebration
New Year’s Day 2026 will mark the beginning of the nation’s semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday year. Throughout U.S. history, each 50-year increment since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 has sparked a year-long celebration. In many of these years, the nation’s birthday party kicked off with festivities on New Year’s Eve.
For the nation’s 200th birthday in 1976, a crowd of 40,000 people in Philadelphia started the year huddled outside in the frigid December weather to watch the nation’s most famous symbol of liberty slide down a ramp outside Independence Hall and roll by on a cart.
The historic move of the Liberty Bell from its home for the past 223 years to a new glass pavilion 100 yards away took place at midnight on New Year’s Eve to mark the start of the nation’s bicentennial celebration.
Although the Liberty Bill remained silent during its short journey, Indianapolis residents heard bells that evening. The Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis and the Knights of Columbus encouraged area churches to ring their bells continuously for 15 minutes at midnight as 1975 slipped into 1976 as a public expression of thankfulness for the freedom of worship guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and to celebrate the beginning of America’s 200th birthday year.
Offering a more secular way to ring in 1976, Indianapolis Jaycees hosted a $25-per-couple bicentennial party at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Attendees were treated to a bottle of champagne, breakfast and the chance to win a vacation at one of four historic East Coast cities. Prizes were awarded for “the most patriotic costume,” although what exactly constituted a patriotic costume was not outlined in the invitation.
The downtown Holiday Inn featured double rooms for only $17.76 on New Year’s Eve, plus a champagne buffet and dancing for an additional $2 per couple. Any guest who woke up on New Year’s Day 1976 with a hazy memory of the reason for the previous evening’s festivities would certainly have been reminded as soon as they saw the 333 bicentennial signs that had been installed on utility poles in the Mile Square by city workers on New Year’s Eve.
The celebrations marking the start of the nation’s sesquicentennial 50 years earlier were a little drier though no less festive on New Year’s Eve 1925. Prohibition was in effect, and two days before the holiday law enforcement officials raided 40 pool rooms, drug stores and other locations suspected of liquor violations. Indianapolis residents were warned that more arrests would follow on New Year’s Eve.
The crackdown on illegal drinking did not dampen the festivities in downtown Indianapolis. Approximately 1,200 people crowded into the Columbia Club for a dinner-dance, while a similar number partied at the Athletic Club. Some hotels hosted parties, and the Broadway Burlesque theater featured a midnight performance by the Red Hot Snappy Girly Girl Company.
But the highlight of New Year’s Eve 1925 was listening to the ringing of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia at the stroke of midnight to celebrate 150 years of American independence. Indianapolis stores experienced a run on radios during the Christmas season, and many local residents hosted radio parties in their homes where friends could dance to music, guzzle bootleg beverages, and hear the Liberty Bell ring.
Although the Liberty Bell was quiet on New Year’s Eve 1875, bells rang in Indianapolis to celebrate the first day of the nation’s centennial in 1876 after local leaders proposed “a general ringing of bells, firing of salutes, and flinging to the breeze the Stars and Stripes.”
The city’s businessmen were also invited to the Board of Trade at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day 1876 “to celebrate by appropriate exercises” the start of the centennial year. Given the city’s abundance of taverns and saloons, it’s probably safe to say that the only sort of exercises that were appropriate for the morning after New Year’s Eve did not involve actual strenuous physical activity.
Libby Cierzniak is a retired attorney who has written extensively about Indianapolis history for HistoricIndianapolis.com and in her own blog, Indypolitan.com. She is a frequent guest on Hoosier History Live and a regular contributor to Retro Indy. Contact her via Indypolitan.com.
TODAY
Early clouds give way to gradual clearing, and the afternoon turns much nicer than the damp start might suggest. Highs reach the mid 70s, with a west-southwest breeze around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Once we get past the morning gray, this looks like a very usable day for outdoor plans, just a bit breezy at times.
TONIGHT
Clouds increase again overnight, and scattered showers with a few thunderstorms may arrive late, mainly after 3 a.m. Lows settle in the mid 50s, with a light breeze becoming northerly late. Most of the evening stays quiet, but by early Sunday morning a few neighborhoods could hear some rain on the roof.
MOTHER’S DAY
Cooler than Saturday, with a mix of clouds and some breaks of sun along with the chance for an isolated shower. Highs top out in the mid 60s, and a north breeze around 5 to 10 mph adds a slightly cooler feel. It is not a washout, but it is also not as nice as Saturday afternoon, especially south of Indianapolis where a stray shower may hang on longer.
TOMORROW NIGHT
Partly cloudy and cooler, with lows in the mid 40s and a north northeast breeze around 5 to 10 mph. The air dries out nicely, and this looks like a quiet, comfortable night across central Indiana.
MONDAY
Bright and seasonably cool with sunshine taking over. Highs reach the mid 60s, with a light north wind around 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. This looks like one of the cleaner forecast days of the stretch, great for errands, practices, or getting outside without weather trouble.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear and chilly again, with lows in the low to mid 40s and light wind fading late. Quiet weather continues, and there are no meaningful travel concerns overnight.
TUESDAY
Another decent start, then clouds begin to increase later with a chance for showers and thunderstorms after mid afternoon. Highs reach the mid 60s, with a light south southwest breeze around 5 to 10 mph. Most of the day still looks usable, but the late afternoon and evening carry the next better rain signal.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms become more likely for part of the night before activity starts to ease later on. Lows hold in the low to mid 50s, with a south-southwest wind around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. It does not look like a high-end severe setup right now, but it is enough of a signal to keep an eye on late evening plans.
WEDNESDAY
A leftover shower is possible early, then the trend turns drier with more sun returning through the day. Highs recover into the upper 60s, and a northwest breeze around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph will make it feel a little brisker at times. The day improves as it goes, and by afternoon it should look much better than the early morning may suggest.
7 DAY FORECAST
After a milder Saturday and a small late Saturday night into Sunday shower window, the broader pattern settles down for Sunday night and Monday with quieter, cooler weather in place. The next more meaningful chance for rain arrives Tuesday into Tuesday night as another system approaches, then drier conditions return Wednesday as that system pulls away. Temperatures run in the 70s Saturday, slip back into the 60s Sunday through Tuesday, then edge a little milder again by midweek. Confidence is best in the quiet Sunday night through Monday stretch, while the exact timing of Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night rain could still wobble a bit.
Editor’s note: This interview is part of our ‘Meet the Candidates’ show. Watch past episodes here.
After working in education for about 15 years, Andrea Hunley won her first bid for political office four years ago in an Indiana Senate district covering the core of Indianapolis.
On May 8, Hunley, 42, officially launched her campaign for an office that she says feels closer to home: Indianapolis mayor.
About a year ahead of the May 2027 mayoral primary, Hunley sat down with IndyStar on May 5 to discuss what she hopes to accomplish as mayor, why her candidacy differs from her challengers, and how she thinks about hot-button issues like education, public safety and data centers.
At this point, Hunley will face longtime Indianapolis City-County Councilor Vop Osili and Department of Public Works administrator David Bride. Both candidates will also be invited for sit-down interviews with IndyStar in the coming weeks.
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
The Indianapolis Colts announced the addition of 12 undrafted free agents for the rookie minicamp beginning Friday:
>> Cam Ball, DT, Arkansas: Appeared in 50 games with 31 starts, making 138 tackles, 12.5 for loss with 3 sacks at 6-4, 310 pounds. Ball was a team captain last season, named to the 2025 AFCA Good Works Team and on the 2024 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.
>> Austin Brown, S, Wisconsin: Received a $272,000 guarantee, a source told IndyStar. The 6-0, 199-pounder played in 50 games with 24 starts), totaling 142 tackles with eight passes defensed. Brown was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten choice (2023-25) and named CSC Academic All-District in 2025.
>> Tahj Chambers, LB, Mississippi: Played in 15 games in one season at Mississippi with 45 tackles and three passes defensed. The 6-2, 231-pounder also played in 43 games at Missouri State with 196 tackles, 17 for loss, 3.0 sacks and eight passes defensed. Chambers made the MVFC honor roll in 2022 and 2024 and was selected to the Missouri State AD’s Honor Roll in Fall 2022 and Fall 2024.
>> Sahmir Hagans, WR, Duke: The 5-11, 188-pounded played in 57 games at Duke with 152 catches for 1,586 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hagans also returned 24 kicks for a 31.5-yard average and two touchdowns and five punts for a 30.6-yard average with a score. He was a second team All-ACC selection as a return specialist in 2025 and named to the 2022 ACC All-Academic Team.
>> E.J. Horton, WR, Purdue: Played in 41 games between Purdue, Florida Atlantic, West Virginia and Marshall in a college career that began in 2020. He made 53 catches for 735 yards and four touchdowns.
>>Mitchell Melton, DE, Virginia: Played at Virginia and Ohio State as a 6-3, 253-pound defensive end with 60 tackles, 16.5 for loss, 8 sacks, 4 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles. Last season he started 14 games at Virginia and was honor mention All-ACC.
>>Lincoln Pare, RB, Texas State: At 5-8, 190 pounds, Pare played in 38 games with 2,454 yards and 25 touchdowns on 477 carries, plus 78 receptions for 644 yards and 3 scores. Prior to earning second team All-Sun Belt last season, Pare played at Arkansas State. His last name is pronounced Pair-ee.
>>Nolan Rucci, OL, Penn State: At 6-8, 314 pounds, Rucci was a tackle at Penn State and Wisconsin, making 18 starts. He was honor mention All-Big Ten.
>> Raylen Sharpe, WR, Arkansas: At 5-9, 173 pounds, Sharpe was a receiver and ball carrier at Arkansas, Fresno State, Missouri State and Houston with 181 catches for 2,413 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus 12 carries for 122 yards and he threw a touchdown pass. He was honor mention All-Mountain West in 2024 and first team All-MVFC in 2023 while also running track in 2021 at Houston.
>>Geno VanDeMark, C, Alabama: Earned starts at right guard, left guard and center at 6-4, 314 pounds. Also played 18 games, with eight starts at Michigan State.
>>Jordon Vaughn, RB, Abilene Christian: He’s 6-3, 228 pounds and rushed for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns on 179 caries in 30 games. Also played at Wyoming for two seasons.
>>West Weeks, LB, LSU: The 6-2, 230-pound linebacker appeared in 54 games between LSU and Virginia with 164 tackles, 12.5 for loss and 5 sacks.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
-
Louisiana5 minutes ago
Eight children killed in Louisiana mass shooting remembered at funeral
-
Maine11 minutes agoMaine inmate arrested after walking off Thomaston jobsite, corrections officers say
-
Maryland17 minutes agoMifepristone ruling could halt mailed abortion pills in ‘shield states’ like Maryland – WTOP News
-
Michigan23 minutes agoList of active weather alerts as storms move through Southeast Michigan
-
Massachusetts29 minutes agoMassachusetts town near Gillette Stadium presses for World Cup security funding
-
Minnesota35 minutes agoProjected Lineup: Wild vs. Avalanche | Minnesota Wild
-
Mississippi41 minutes agoAuburn baseball evens series with Mississippi State on Friday: Recap
-
Missouri47 minutes agoKansas City, Missouri, police investigate deadly shooting at 4th and Holmes
