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Indiana Is Born! A Structure for Statehood:
Thirty-four men gather in Corydon, capital of the Indiana Territory. Legend says they met outdoors or in, they successfully craft the state's first constitution, a vital step in gaining democratic representation for Indiana and forging a confident community able to chart its own future.
The 1816 delegates follow precedents set by the U.S. Constitution and various state constitutions. Their charter intentionally creates a weak executive branch, to prevent any individual from gaining too much power at the expense of the legislature.
Though hardly radical, the Corydon constitution calls for free education -- an innovative idea that ultimately fails for lack of funds. The constitution also prohibits slavery, a provision not enforced. |