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Veterans Memorial Plaza

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Veterans Memorial Plaza is centrally located in the seven-block Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District, just north of the Indiana War Memorial.

Completed in 1930, it honors all Hoosier veterans and is today one of downtown’s most popular venues for outdoor events, including the annual Independence Day festival.

Hours & location
FEATURES

Other features of the plaza include:

The fountain

The fountain is made from pink Georgia marble and terrazzo.

The Plaza

The Plaza was first known as Obelisk Square.

Landscaping

Originally, the park was almost completely paved until landscaping was installed and trees were planted in 1976 as part of a beautification effort for the Bicentennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence.

The Obelisk

The Obelisk is 100 feet tall and made of black Berwick granite.

Obelisk statue in center

Upon entering the plaza, visitors are drawn to the 100-foot tall obelisk statue in the center. This magnificent, four-sided shaft of Berwick black granite represents the hopes and aspirations of our nation. Near the base of the Obelisk are four bronze tablets representing law, science, religion and education. A 100-foot diameter fountain surrounds the Obelisk. The Plaza also serves as a dedicated space for our national flag and the 50 state flags.

STORIES OF SERVICE

Indiana Veterans

Exhibit BackgrounderStories of Service
January 31, 2023

Stories of Service: Major Charity Adams

Early Life  Charity Adams was born on December 5, 1918 in Kittrell, North Carolina. She grew up in Columbia, South Carolina until moving to Ohio to continue her education at…
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General InformationStories of Service
February 7, 2022

Stories of Service: The Life of Lucy Higgs Nichols

Lucy Higgs Nichols was an African American who escaped slavery and became a nurse for a regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Read on to learn…
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Artifacts and AttractionsGeneral InformationPress ReleasesStories of Service
August 24, 2021

20th Anniversary of 9/11: A Reflection on our Nation’s Resolve and Resiliency

20th Anniversary of 9/11: A Reflection on our Nation’s Resolve and Resiliency Most of us vividly remember the exact moment, nearly 20 years ago, when we learned about the terrorist…
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VIRTUAL TOUR

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Explore the monuments, museums and memorials of the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District—virtually.

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#HoosierVeterans

Please join the 500 Festival and the American Legion, honoring our fallen soldiers for the 60th Memorial Service at the Indiana War Memorial on Friday, May 23rd at 12:00pm EST

This is a weekend to remember and honor the sacrifices made by brave servicemen and women who perished while serving in the armed forces.

This event is free and open to the public.

500Festival.com/Memorial

#500Festival #MemorialDayService #IndianaWarMemorials

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Open
Please join the 500 Festival and the American Legion, honoring our fallen soldiers for the 60th Memorial Service at the Indiana War Memorial on Friday, May 23rd at 12:00pm EST This is a weekend to remember and honor the sacrifices made by brave servicemen and women who perished while serving in the armed forces. This event is free and open to the public. 500Festival.com/Memorial #500Festival #MemorialDayService #IndianaWarMemorials

Today we celebrate Victory in Europe, also known as VE Day. It was on this day, in 1945, the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany`s surrender, bringing an end to World War II in Europe.

Learn more about the United States and World War II at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Open from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025.

#indianawarmemorials #VEday #VictoryinEurope #WWII

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Today we celebrate Victory in Europe, also known as VE Day. It was on this day, in 1945, the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's surrender, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. Learn more about the United States and World War II at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Open from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025. #indianawarmemorials #VEday #VictoryinEurope #WWII

On this day, in 1915, the British passenger ship Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine off the west coast of Ireland. 1,198 of the 1,924 passengers died, including 114 Americans. This attack hastened America’s entry into World War I in 1917.

Learn more about the United States and World War I at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Open from 9 to 5 Wednesday through Sunday.

Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025.

#Indianawarmemorails #WWIhistory

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On this day, in 1915, the British passenger ship Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine off the west coast of Ireland. 1,198 of the 1,924 passengers died, including 114 Americans. This attack hastened America’s entry into World War I in 1917. Learn more about the United States and World War I at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Open from 9 to 5 Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free! *** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen mid to late-September, 2025. #Indianawarmemorails #WWIhistory

Four years ago this month the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was dedicated in the American Legion Mall.

The Monument honors military families who have experienced loss through service in the United States Armed Forces, representing all branches of service and all conflicts.

This is the first Monument added to the Indiana War Memorials properties since 1998.

#GoldStarFamilies #IndianaWarMemorials

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Four years ago this month the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was dedicated in the American Legion Mall. The Monument honors military families who have experienced loss through service in the United States Armed Forces, representing all branches of service and all conflicts. This is the first Monument added to the Indiana War Memorials properties since 1998. #GoldStarFamilies #IndianaWarMemorials

The month of May means something special here in Indiana. May is also Military Appreciation Month. Let us not forget our military men and women in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Space Force and National Guard as well as the contribution of their families. Together, Indiana thanks you for your service!

#indianawarmemorials #militaryappreciationmonth

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The month of May means something special here in Indiana. May is also Military Appreciation Month. Let us not forget our military men and women in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Space Force and National Guard as well as the contribution of their families. Together, Indiana thanks you for your service! #indianawarmemorials #militaryappreciationmonth

May is Military Appreciation Month! This year honor your Veteran with a Brick of Honor from the Indiana War Memorials Foundation.

The bricks are placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, creating a lasting tribute to each veteran’s service and sacrifice.

#IndyBricksofHonor #IndianaWarMemorials #MonumentCircle #IndianaVeterans #MemorialDay

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May is Military Appreciation Month! This year honor your Veteran with a Brick of Honor from the Indiana War Memorials Foundation. The bricks are placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, creating a lasting tribute to each veteran’s service and sacrifice. #IndyBricksofHonor #IndianaWarMemorials #MonumentCircle #IndianaVeterans #MemorialDay

Please join the 500 Festival and the American Legion, honoring our fallen soldiers for the 60th Memorial Service at the Indiana War Memorial on Friday, May 23rd at 12:00pm EST

This is a weekend to remember and honor the sacrifices made by brave servicemen and women who perished while serving in the armed forces.

This event is free and open to the public.

500Festival.com/Memorial

#500Festival #MemorialDayService #IndianaWarMemorials

2 0
Open
Please join the 500 Festival and the American Legion, honoring our fallen soldiers for the 60th Memorial Service at the Indiana War Memorial on Friday, May 23rd at 12:00pm EST This is a weekend to remember and honor the sacrifices made by brave servicemen and women who perished while serving in the armed forces. This event is free and open to the public. 500Festival.com/Memorial #500Festival #MemorialDayService #IndianaWarMemorials

The Gold Mile is an experience for IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants and it pays tribute to fallen service members and their surviving families (Gold Star Families). You are invited to volunteer to pay special tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Located at mile 6 on the backstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, YOU can encourage participants holding American flags, and display photos and banners to honor the fallen.

You’re invited to be part of this special tribute. If interested, complete the following volunteer form at:
https://500festival.wufoo.com/forms/pzq32ki0o1c9uy/

To make a donation to the 500 Festival go to:
https://500festivalfoundation.com/foundation/foundation/campaign/

#500Festival

4 1
Open
The Gold Mile is an experience for IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants and it pays tribute to fallen service members and their surviving families (Gold Star Families). You are invited to volunteer to pay special tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Located at mile 6 on the backstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, YOU can encourage participants holding American flags, and display photos and banners to honor the fallen. You’re invited to be part of this special tribute. If interested, complete the following volunteer form at: https://500festival.wufoo.com/forms/pzq32ki0o1c9uy/ To make a donation to the 500 Festival go to: https://500festivalfoundation.com/foundation/foundation/campaign/ #500Festival

Hours & Location

HOURS

Open from dawn to dusk

ADMISSION

Free

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