The IU Bicentennial is more than just a celebration for IU—it is a time of reflection. IU Bicentennial Interns have been researching the people and places of IU’s history and they have created these historical timelines with rich archival sources. This page will be updated as new Interns complete their research projects.
Indiana University historical timelines
Story Maps
Learn more about IU with Story Maps, an interactive tool that allows you to see campus maps, campus images, and text in a multimedia package.26 results found
1836-2013
Milestones in Global and International Affairs
From 1836 to the present, explore some of the important milestones in IU's unique global history.
Explore the rich history
1814-1901
Daniel Kirkwood: Astronomer and Professor
Learn more about the man whose name graces Kirkwood Avenue, Kirkwood Hall,
and Kirkwood Observatory on the IU Bloomington campus.
1886-1960
History of the Graduate School
The University Graduate School is responsible for all research-based graduate degrees in the Indiana University system, supporting not only graduate education but also world-class graduate and faculty research.
Learn more
1844-2017
The Birth of Greek Life at Indiana University
The first Greek chapter at IU was chartered in 1845. Greek life now spans over 70 chapters and 8,000 undergraduate members. See how Greek life has changed the university.
Read more about Greek life
1836-2018
The Women of Indiana University Portrait Collection
Learn about the important role women have played in the development of Indiana University as illustrated in the Women of IU Portrait Collection.
See the collection
1920-1958
The Science of Swimming, Doc Counsilman’s Early Life
Doc Counsilman transformed the IU men’s swimming program and changed the face of swimming forever. Trace the development of the program.
Read about the early history of the legendary Doc Counsilman
1958-1973
The Science of Swimming, The Doc Counsilman Era at IU
Doc greatly improved the sport of swimming through his research over the course of more than three decades as coach. Learn more below.
Explore Doc’s research and achievements
1973-1996
The Science of Swimming, Doc Counsilman’s Legacy
Doc’s far reaching legacy continued both at IU and in the world of college swimming. Discover more about his research.
Explore the rest of Doc’s career
1969-2018
The Legacy Continues: The Story of the African American Arts Institute
From unforgettable performances to international travel, get a glimpse of the rich history of the African American Arts Institute.
Learn about the AAAI story
1891-2020
International Students at Indiana University
In 1943 there were 29 international students at IU; now there are around 9,000. Explore how Indiana University has transformed itself into a cosmopolitan hub over the decades.
Learn about the history
1636-2013
Major Milestones of Higher Education
Experience the legal development and important legislative milestones of higher education.
Read more about important legal decisions
1883-2018
Juliette Maxwell: The First Director of the Department of Physical Training for Women at IU
Read more about Juliette Maxwell and the new department of physical education for women.
Learn how women's athletics developed
1894-2006
Deans of the College of Art + Sciences
The College of Arts + Sciences was formally established as its own administrative body in 1870. Learn how the role of the Deans has changed over time.
See how the Deans have shaped the College of Arts + Sciences
1932-2017
Explore the history of Indiana University Kokomo
Learn more about the people, places, and events that have shaped Indiana University Kokomo.
Read more about IU Kokomo
1833-2017
A History of Indiana University's Deans of Women
The Office of the Dean of Women at Indiana University served women students from 1901 to 1946. Learn more about the factors that led to the office's creation.
Explore the office's history
1945-2016
History of Indiana University East
Examine the history of Indiana University East, Indiana University's sixth regional campus and learn how it has changed and expanded since 1946.
Read more about IU East
1913-2016
The Bloomington Music Scene
Bloomington, Indiana has a storied music history. Trace its development and the stars that emerged as a result.
See how music shaped Bloomington
1946-1970
Bloomington School of Public Health, Volume 2
The story continues with the HPER opening, developing its curriculum, and celebrating its silver anniversary.
Read the second part of the story
1971-1995
Bloomington School of Public Health, Volume 3
HPER's story continues as it becomes the state's first school to have a Master's of Public Health degree, and the nation's first school to offer a doctorate in Health and Safety Education.
Read the third part of the story
1816-2016
IU and The American Presidency
President William Taft, President Dwight Eisenhower, a campaigning Richard Nixon, and a campaigning Robert Kennedy. These are just some of the connections to the United States presidency that IU has had throughout the decades.
Read more about IU and the presidency
1890-1946
Bloomington School of Public Health, Volume 1
Follow the evolution of the school from a program in 1890 to the IU School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1946.
Read the first part of the story
1829-2017
Indiana University Presidents 1829-2017
Explore an overview of each presidential tenure and see the buildings and other places that have been named after them.
See how the presidents shaped IU
1812-2007
IU and the U.S. Military
Follow IU's participation in the United States Military from the War of 1812 through the Iraq War that began in 2003.
Follow IU's U.S. military history
1820
Seminary Square
Trace the history of IU’s original campus from the 1800s through the present day.
See how the campus transformed
1890-1972
Women’s Basketball
See how women’s basketball developed at IU from the 1890s through 1972.
Explore women’s basketball
1970
LGBTQ+ History
See how LGBTQ+ organizations at IU Bloomington evolved in relation to important national events that affected gay rights.
See the evolution