100 Years Ago: Sept. 6-12

From The Indianapolis News, Friday, September 12, 1924: National Defense Test Day was successfully celebrated across the country and in Indianapolis today. With flags fluttering and bands playing, 6,000 marchers, including members of the regular army and national guard, the army and navy reserves, veterans of the Rainbow Division, high school Junior R.O.T.C. cadets, members of fraternal orders, and the Parent-Teacher Association delegation, paraded through downtown streets this afternoon in one of the largest and most representative turnouts of potential defense strength ever assembled here. Immediately following the parade, amid impressive ceremonies, the corner stone of the first unit of Indiana War Memorial was laid with appropriate speeches by Governor Emmett Branch and American Legion officials. The day ended with hundreds of celebrants attending the Foreign War veterans’ picnic in Broad Ripple Park and an evening with a fireworks display.