Between June 2020 and May 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, Indianapolis came together to recognize 200 years of innovation, expansion, and civic pride in the place we call home. The year-long celebration paid proper homage to the creation of Indianapolis, while including all of our city’s most iconic events. Like other Indianapolis milestones, the bicentennial was inclusive of the rich diversity of our city, incorporating local arts, culture, civics, education, and more.

In 1820, the Indiana legislature hand-picked commissioners to locate the state’s new capital as near as possible to the center of the state to take advantage of western migration. The legislature approved the site as the new capital in early 1821, and the name Indianapolis was chosen as a combination of Indiana and the Greek word “polis” for city. The Indianapolis bicentennial celebration reflected on and honor the city’s rich history, and it will embrace what is coming next.