Happy Bicentennial Evansville – What Else Happened 200 Years Ago?

Today marks the day that Evansville, Indiana became a city two hundred years ago.  So, while our forefathers were building, I'm sure they had no idea this ground would one day have deep fried turkey testicles in October, or an Expressway that had stop lights, but there were other things going on in the world at the same time.  What were they?  Well, let me tell you.

In 1812, we lost an American icon who would be featured on currency that no one uses years later.  Yes, on December 20th, 1812, Sacagawea, the Shoshone guide that lead Lewis and Clark across the West passed away from an unknown illness.  This is the most widely accepted theory, even though a marker in Wyoming suggests she passed in 1884.

With every loss comes a gain.  The same year Evansville was born, so was one of the great authors of all time.  About a month and a half before Evansville became a city, the world welcomed the future writer of Tale of Two Cities.  Charles Dickens was born on February 7th, 1812.  He went on to write such classics as A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.

Also in 1812, there was a little war called The War of 1812.  The summer after Evansville became a bustling community, the US went to war with the UK.  Why?  Because it would have been silly to start the War of 1812 in 1813.

Happy Birthday again, Evansville.  It's been a pleasure to work in this great city for nearly 4 of your 200 wonderful years!