Missouri’s first cases of Spanish Flu were reported on this day. This pandemic would eventually kill millions around the globe. In the miserable conditions of World War I more people died from influenza than from wounds.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.