Indianapolis is the capital city of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. The 2000 Census counted the city's population at 781,870. It is Indiana's most populous city and is the 13th largest city in the U.S., the third largest city in the Midwest, and the second most populous Capital in the U.S., behind Phoenix, Arizona. Indianapolis has hosted numerous sporting events including; the 1987 Pan American Games, both Men's and Women's NCAA Basketball Tournaments, the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, the United States Grand Prix (2000-2007), and is perhaps most famous for the annual Indianapolis 500. The labels of The Amateur Sports Capital of the World, and The Racing Capital of the World, have both been applied to the city. The Indianapolis metropolitan area is among the fastest growing in the Midwest and the United States, with growth centered in the surrounding counties of Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, and Johnson. Hamilton and Hendricks Counties are currently the fastest growing counties in Indiana. Currently, the Combined Statistical Area stands at 1,984,644, making it the 23rd largest in the U.S. Gen Con is the one of the largest and most prominent gaming conventions in North America. It was founded in 1968. Gen Con 2002 brought in about 26,000 attendees; which makes the convention similar in size to E3, Dragon Con and Origins. Gen Con is currently held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Gen Con UK conventions have also been held in the UK in a variety of cities. Gen Con Paris was held in France in April 2006 and again in 2007. The convention features a large exhibit hall filled with game publishers, artists, and related businesses. It is a popular attraction and is frequently very busy. Gen Con began in 1967 as an informal gathering of war game enthusiasts at the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin home of Gary Gygax, later termed "Gen Con 0" A year later, Gygax organized the first formal convention at the Lake Geneva Horticultural Hall with roughly 100 attendees. Gen Con's name is a derivation of "Geneva Convention," given the convention's origins in Lake Geneva. The name also is a play-on-words, as the "Geneva Conventions" are the name of a set of important international treaties regarding war and the earliest Gen Cons had a focus on wargames. The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis. Rowdie is the mascot for the Indians. Founded in 1902, the Indianapolis Indians are the second-oldest minor league franchise in professional sports, behind only the International League's Rochester Red Wings. The Indians had been affiliated with several Major League clubs over the years including Cincinnati (1939-41, 1961), Boston Braves (1946-47), Pittsburgh (1948-1951), Cleveland (1952-1956), Philadelphia (1960) and the Chicago White Sox (1962-67). Beginning in 1968 they had a working agreement with the Cincinnati Reds that lasted through 1983. In addition to four first-place finishes and one playoff championship in that time period, Indianapolis fans saw numerous members of "The Big Red Machine" come through town. Players like Pedro Borbon, Bernie Carbo, Dave Concepción, Dan Driessen, George Foster, Ken Griffey, Ray Knight and Hal McRae all donned Tribe uniforms. On this day in Indianapolis history... Barton "Bart" R. Peterson (born June 15, 1958) is the former mayor Indianapolis, Indiana. A Democrat first elected in 1999, he was defeated in 2007 in a bid for a third term in what was widely viewed as a huge upset. A lifelong Indianapolis resident, Peterson graduated from North Central High School before attending Purdue University. After graduating from the University of Michigan law school, he practiced law in Indianapolis for several years before joining the staff of Governor Evan Bayh, eventually serving as the Governor's Chief of Staff. Peterson was expected to easily cruise to re-election in 2007 as no well-known Republican candidates entered the race, leaving relatively unknown political newcomer Greg Ballard as his opposition. Indeed, many thought that the once-dominant Republican Party was all but dead in the city. However, largely due to high property taxes and a rising crime rate, several polls rated the race about even as election day approached. When voters went to the polls, Peterson lost to Ballard by a margin of 51 percent to 47 percent. In December 2007, Peterson was mentioned as a possible candidate in the special election to fill the seat of recently deceased Congresswoman Julia Carson. A few days later, Peterson ruled out a run for this office. - “Every race I run in is in preparation for the Indianapolis 500. Indy is the most important thing in my life. It is what I live for.” -- former IRL driver Al Unser
- “What's that? Uh -- Playoffs? Don't talk about -- playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game!” -- former Colts coach Jim E. Mora
- “The jazz scene - or the lack of it - has no correlation to my move back to Indianapolis. I wanted Indianapolis to be my home, and it is my home.” -- Jazz Musician J. J. Johnson
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