Courts in the Classroom
Supreme Court of Indiana
Division of State Court Administration
30 S. Meridian Street, Ste 500
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Dr. Elizabeth R. Osborn
Coordinator for
Public History and
Education Programs

Pho: 317.233.8682
elizabeth.osborn@courts.IN.gov

Sarah Kidwell
Outreach Coordinator

Pho: 317.234.3055
sarah.kidwell@courts.IN.gov

 

2011 Outstanding Public
History Project Award
from the National Council
on Public History

More Awards

Courts in the Classroom > Lesson Plans & Materials > Benjamin Harrison Day Benjamin Harrison Day

About this Event

The Court holds this reenactment each spring to commemorate the anniversary of the 1871 Ex Parte Milligan case.  The program focuses on three separate court cases involving Lambdin Milligan's activities during the Civil War with breaks between for questions and answers. 

Lambdin Milligan lived near Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he opposed both President Lincoln and the Civil War. He was very outspoken in his opposition, and after a speech urging people to resist being drafted into the army, he was arrested and brought to Indianapolis for trial. Milligan was arrested by the military and charged with treason. His trial was held before a military tribunal. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. Milligan successfully appealed his case to the U. S. Supreme Court. Following the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, Milligan returned to Indiana for a third and final trial.

This program is presented by the Indiana Supreme Court, the State House Tour Office, and the President Benjamin Harrison Home.

Future Programs

We invite classroom teachers, home school groups, history clubs, and so forth to contact sarah.kidwell@courts.IN.gov if you are interested in participating in future programs.

2013 Production

The Indiana Supreme Court held a production of its interactive drama Ex Parte Milligan on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 10:00am.  Get details for this production.

Teacher Resources

Previous Years' Events

Supporting Materials

Photo Gallery