April 13, 1936

Pinkerton agents raided the Clay County home of Frank and Jesse James. Frank and Jesse were not at home but the fire-bomb attack killed their brother and injured their mother.

Missouri was a state of newcomers. On this date Thomas Fletcher was born and he would go on to be our first Missouri-born Governor.

The Kansas Senate approved a plan to move their border eastward, thus stealing Kansas City from Missouri.

Pro basketball player and Mizzou coach Stormin’ Norman Stewart was born in Shelby County.

Five of the best sledding spots in Missouri.

Six Missourians share their experiences in a Columbia public park.

Brrrr, but you’ll see wildlife and have the river to yourself.

A meteorite weighing just over 1.3 pounds fell on a barn near Baxter in Stone County.

Birthday of humanitarian Dr. Thomas Dooley in St. Louis. He was a diligent medical pioneer in Southeast Asia and John F. Kennedy named Dooley as his inspiration for starting the Peace Corps.

Birthday of Baseball's most colorful character, Dizzy Dean.

A hint of heat and tradition create award-winning salsas and bloody mary mix.

The contemplative and colloquial creations of Nora Othic.

 Birthday of farmer, guerrilla fighter, and outlaw, Cole Younger.

Daniel Dunklin was born on this day. Dunklin was the fifth Governor of Missouri and is sometimes called the Father of Missouri Public Schools.

Jean Lawson helps students with special needs achieve their educational goals during the pandemic.

Steve Fossett took off from Busch Stadium aboard his balloon "Solo Spirit" and set a world distance record when he landed in India.

Missourian James H. Howard got separated from his fighter group and, all alone, attacked a German flight of thirty planes.

Missouri’s role in the early civil rights movement.

In an atypical year for food, our staff got creative in the kitchen.

Henry Dorman of Liberal celebrated his 114th birthday on this date in 1913.

Executive Chef Chris Paszkiewicz brings the flavors to the table.

Frank Boughton, a butcher in Hillsboro was offering fresh beef at 4 to 6 cents per pound.

There’s plenty of new things to taste in the city. 

The Second Battle of Springfield was fought during the Civil War.

The Mississippi River was frozen over, and people were walking across.

This 1923 home offers plenty of space and opportunity

This date saw the first theatrical production in Missouri. Two plays were performed at the Courthouse in St. Louis. 

Birthday of soldier and explorer, Zebulon Pike who was stationed in St. Louis and is the namesake of Pike County.

Henry Schoolcraft was exploring the Ozarks and this day was camped at the location of present day Springfield. His glowing description attracted many early settlers to the area.

Discover simpler times through cooking with a new online cooking show, Dutch Country Kitchen.

A couple at Chesterfield built an over-the-top home, with entertainment in mind. See how Elvis, Betty Boop, and the Muppets make an appearance.

Cara Louise is working on her first full-length album.

Missouri is in the Goldilocks zone for duck hunters.

A once substantial Missouri cash crop makes a comeback.

Downtown Branson candy shop has kept the same recipe for a century.

Our top picks from around the state.

Homes for Our Troops builds homes and rebuilds lives.

A St. Louis scientist studies the impact of road salt on waterways in the area and finds startling results.

Explore nature, visit art galleries and museums, and eat plenty of pancakes in Kirksville.

Venture out in the cold for one-of-a-kind dining experiences, a new (to KC) caffeine culture, and a shop dedicated to local goods. 

Missourians Tom Benoist and Tony Jannus began the first scheduled passenger airline service in America.

Governor McNair signed a bill that designated the site for the City of Jefferson, which was to become the capital city for Missouri.

Devastating tornadoes touched down across southern Missouri striking Fort Leonard Wood, Robertsville, and Sunset Hills.

The World's Fair Company awarded a contract to construct a wooden tunnel to take the River Des Peres under the fairgrounds on this date in 1901.

The town of Fenton was incorporated. Its petition for incorporation claimed, "35 legal voters, 40 to 50 women, and about 90 children, with fair prospects for an increase in the latter."

The composing room at Concordia Publishing House (on the campus of Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis) was put into operation.

Father Sebastian Meurin was born on this date. He started the first church in St. Louis and performed Missouri’s first marriage in Ste. Genevieve.

A group of architecture students from Washington University sneaked into the McDonnell Planetarium and tied a huge red bow around the hyperboloid roof, thus starting the Christmas tradition.

Birthday of Christopher "Kit" Carson from Franklin, Missouri who did as much as any person to open up the west. Read more about him in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

The EPA announced that it had identified dangerous levels of dioxin in the soil of Times Beach, MO on this date in Missouri history.

The Cassville Republican reported high hopes for a Barry County man who was establishing a skunk farm near Madry, MO.

With more than 250 videos on her Youtube channel, she walks her viewers through the stories of animals in Missouri.

Cool Stuff is back for a limited period of time and Delia’s Mexican Grill, Wicked Asian Wings, and The Brassy Bird are brand new restaurants in Columbia. 

The Pacific Railroad reached Kansas City from St. Louis on this date. Even before this date Kansas City was already a thriving railroad terminus.

Brad Pitt was born in Oklahoma. However, soon after his birth, his family moved to Springfield. He attended Kickapoo High School and went on to study journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

This recipe is courtesy of Colleen Smith, owner, Tea Bar & Bites Café in Springfield

Bernard Pratte Junior was born. He was the first child born in St. Louis after it became an American city. He later became the first St. Louis-born citizen to be elected mayor.

The first play written in St. Louis was performed in a makeshift theater. An officer from Jefferson Barracks wrote The Pedlar, a three-act farce.

St. Louis-built Gemini Spacecraft was launched with Frank Borman and James Lovell on board.

Today in Missouri history, it was reported that the rabbit market had been ruined by warm weather. They were selling for only two cents each in south Missouri.

Alumni achieve the honorable at Wentworth Military Academy Museum in Lexington 

Black aviator, Wendell Pruitt, was honored in his home town of St. Louis on this day. He won the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down three German planes, destroying 70 on the ground and helping to sink a German destroyer.

Jean Baptiste Truteau was born. He was the first schoolmaster in St. Louis and is believed to have written the first poem in Missouri. It was about the attack on St. Louis in 1780 and it accused the Spanish Lieutenant Governor of cowardice.

This Victorian charmer is back on the market.

This winter has already been a busy one for Springfield and the surrounding area. Check out some of the new shops and happenings popping up around town.

The Weber Farm has been in the family since 1892, and now you can book a reservation at the property.

Direct air mail service began between St. Louis and New York.

These five Missouri towns transform into magical Christmas cities.

Discover 6 tips to maintaining a fresher and greener live Christmas tree.

Chillicothe’s K&M Gourmet Popcorn take pride in popping a popular snack.

A railroad bridge across the Missouri at St. Charles collapsed for the third time! Thirty one freight cars plunged into the river. It was also proving to be a hazard for steamboats.

Award represents one of the highest regional recognitions in TV production   

Over 300 barrels of Jack Daniels whiskey disappeared through a siphon hose from the distillery in St. Louis on this date in Missouri history.

Burgers’ Smokehouse makes it easy to serve up a holiday feast for family and friends.

Today's date in Missouri history is the birthday of Agnes Moorehead, who grew up in St. Louis, spent four seasons as a dancer in the MUNY and made her debut as a singer on KMOX.

Innovator of animated cartoons, theme parks, and more, Walt Disney from Marceline and Kansas City was born on this day.

Missouri's second-largest city is full of holiday activities and a couple of new businesses.

Movie star Rudolph Valentino toured St. Louis. The Italian-born actor starred in silent films, such as The Son of the Sheik and The Eagle, and caused a frenzy among his female fans when he applied for US citizenship.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch became the first newspaper in the country to deliver its papers by automobile.

St. Louis Mayor Kiel signed an ordinance establishing a zoo in St. Louis in Forest Park. The idea was almost killed because of a lawn-mowing dispute.

Fast Lane Classic Cars and Dokaj Foundation team up to benefit St. Louis children in need.

Our annual holiday gift guide chock-full of Missouri-made items is here!

Perseid meteor shower incites “oohs” and “aahs” at Broemmelsiek Park.

David Francis said, "Farewell to all thy splendor." and threw a switch closing the World's Fair in St. Louis.

Winter Magic holiday lights experience provides a bright new tradition.

Find cultural cuisine, unique boutiques, and family entertainment at the Streets of St. Charles.

Samuel Clemens—who later changed his name to Mark Twain—was born in Florida, Missouri.  Haley’s Comet was seen across the night sky at that time, and Twain later told people that he rode in on Haley’s Comet and he would someday ride out.

The cornerstone was laid for the Memorial Union Tower at the University of Missouri. It is the last gothic structure that was erected in the United States.

Janet and Edward Miller keep their son’s memory alive with this nonprofit.

Lewis and Clark visited the oldest permanent settlement in Missouri, Ste. Genevieve.

Wine, cheese, and holiday festivities make the season bright in Kansas City. 

Explore 250-million-year-old rock formations at The Pinnacles at Sturgeon, near Columbia

The late Missouri artist Lowell Davis leaves a legacy near Carthage.

Prescribed burns at Shaw Nature Reserve enhance biodiversity in its ecosystems.

Reported birthday of the "King of Ragtime," Scott Joplin. When a musician's work is still popular a century after his death, he did it right.

Carrie Nation was born. She lived in Belton on a farm in Cass County and in Independence. This ax-swinging temperance advocate was famous for smashing saloons.

Singer Tina Turner was born on this day in Tennessee. However, around age eleven, her family relocated to St. Louis, the same location where she got her start in the music business.

Lewis and Clark were still making their way toward St. Louis when they arrived at Cape Girardeau. Lewis was the dinner guest of Louis Lorimier. Clark was not welcome. Read more about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland. Lewis noted that there was also a group of "duch" (German) settlers who had already erected mills and a group of about 400 Shawnee.

David Margulois was born in St. Louis. After changing his name to David Merrick, he produced Hello Dolly, 42nd Street, Gypsy, and more. In all, his nearly 100 shows earned him eight Tony awards. 

Kenneth Swyers of Overland slid down the north leg of the Arch to his death. He had parachuted to the top of the Arch as a publicity stunt, but the wind caught his chute and sent him down the side.

Built at a cost of $250 million, Kansas City International Airport opens, featuring an innovative "Drive to Your Gate" design.

A Springfield nonprofit tries not to say no when someone needs help.

In the midst the Civil War, Henry W. Halleck assumed command of the Union forces in Missouri and the West. Known derogatorily as “Old Brains,” he was later replaced by General Ulysses S. Grant. 

John Butterfield was born on this day. He went on to found the Butterfield Overland Mail stage line from St. Louis to San Francisco. He also founded American Express. 

The Globe-Democrat reported that the St. Louis County Highway Department would use manpower wherever possible instead of labor-saving machinery on construction projects. Engineer Roy Jablonski hoped the move would help put more men to work.

Attend a beautiful tree-lighting, marvel at a holiday parade, and more.

Today is the birthday of statesman John Brooks Henderson from Lincoln County, MO. He was appointed a Senator and, after Lincoln's death, Henderson co-wrote the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution which prohibited slavery in the U.S.

Bare Knuckle Roasting is fighting for excellence.

Take a sip and learn the trade.

On this date, Sikeston High School toppled Kennett in football, 147-0.

49 states use prescription drug monitoring programs to fight the opioid epidemic. Why is Missouri the only outlier?

John Joseph Houghtaling was born on this day in Kansas City. He invented the Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed, a common feature in mid-priced hotels and motels from the 1960s to 1970s. "Hey, gotta quarter?"

Are you looking for the stone cottage of your dreams? We’ve found it. 

Here’s everything happening in Springfield this month.

This was the night of the "Great Star Shower of 1833." It was said to be so bright that a newspaper could be read on the street. One writer says, "For nearly four hours the sky was literally ablaze." Many thought the end of the world had come.

The St. Louis School Board fired a male teacher who had filed for divorce. Discussion of such a scandal was sure to bring harm to the students. Of course, women teachers weren't allowed to be married in the first place.

Today in Missouri (and world) history is Armistice Day. World War I ended today. Missouri Life proudly salutes the service of our veterans across the country.

These dishes from Burgers’ Smokehouse inspire smiles, even in uncertain times.

Elijah Lovejoy was born on this date. Lovejoy was a crusading newspaper publisher, who got his start in St. Louis, and he was abolitionist who was killed when a mob came to break up his press in Alton, Illinois. 

Mellcene Thurman Smith and Sarah Lucille Turner became the first women elected to the State Legislature.

The 2020 reader’s choice awards are here.

This was the last day that Valentine Tapley shaved. He promised his Pike County friends that if Lincoln were to be elected, he would never shave again. His beard grew to over 12 ½ feet. 

On this day, forty shots were fired in the Elms Hotel lobby and veranda in a robbery gone bad. The Excelsior Springs police shotgun squad chased the robbers from the hotel to Kansas City where they were caught, tried, and convicted. You can still visit the Elms today. 

News anchorman Walter Cronkite was born in  St. Joseph. He grew up in Kansas City until he was ten until he moved to Texas. You can learn more about his life here or by visiting the Walter Cronkite Memorial in St. Joseph. 

Step backward in time at the McClure Archives and University Museum in Warrensburg.

At the St. Louis Union Station, Harry Truman displayed the famous newspaper headline, "Dewey Defeats Truman."

This is believed by some to be the birthday of a true legend, Daniel Boone. Boone and the people he brought may have done as much as any other people to give Missouri its unique and distinct character.

Our statues help us understand our history, and ourselves.

Charolette Scott (and her truck) work to keep the roads cleared when winter weather takes a nasty turn.

Matt Castilleja creates world-class bespoke furniture in the heart of Kansas City.

Missouri’s literary legacy looms large, but here are works that have changed the way people think about the Show-Me State.

The Cosmic Riders work on their debut album.

Colonel Thomas Fiveash Riddick was an influential banker who helped create the St. Louis public schools, was a founder of the Thespian Society and was a delegate to the original Missouri Constitutional Congress. On this date he founded the first Episcopal Church west of the Mississippi.

The University of Missouri football team played the Kansas Jayhawks for the first time beginning one of the oldest football rivalry in the nation. It ended in 2012 when Missouri joined the SEC and Kansas refused to play against Missouri.

The entire University of Missouri football team resigned. They were upset because the university was requiring that players be full-time students with good grades. 

Henry Armstrong—the only man to ever hold three championship titles at the same time—won his first title (Featherweight) on this date.  He was a lifelong St. Louis resident.

The tallest national monument in America, St. Louis’s Gateway Arch was completed on this date. 

On this day, Robert McClure Snyder, one of the wealthiest men in Kansas City and the builder of Ha Ha Tonka in Camden County was out for a drive. He was one of the first people in Kansas City to have an automobile. His driver swerved to miss a child and Snyder became one of the first to be killed in an auto accident.

Holiday traditions re-envisioned with safety in mind.

A huge crowd turned out to dedicate the new Route 66 bridge over the Meramec at Fenton. The bottle of pre-prohibition champagne set aside for the Christening turned up missing before the ceremony.

TWA established the first coast-to-coast all-air passenger service on this date. The planes flew from New York to Kansas City for an overnight stop and then on to Los Angeles. Total trip time was 36 hours.

The last American Indian lands in Missouri were given up on this day. The Kickapoo Tribe surrendered over 2 million acres in Missouri for about one third that much in Kansas. They also got $18,000.

Our writer takes his kids to Hidden Valley, a ski resort at Wildwood.

We still don't know who pulled off the robbery at the United Missouri Bank in downtown St. Louis on this day. 

An unknown singer was the opening act for Roy Acuff's three day stint in St. Louis. No one seemed excited about the young Elvis Presley.

Burgers’ Smokehouse recipes provide inspired options for home-cooked meals.

Sybill’s Saint James takes small town dining to a new level.

The historic riverboat Far West sank at Mullanphy's Island near the mouth of the Missouri. It was one of Custer's boats and after Little Bighorn it steamed back 920 miles in just 54 hours! The Far West is also the subject of a Gary Lucy painting.

With Halloween and Thanksgiving growing nearer, there are tons of ways to celebrate in Columbia.

Bagnell Dam was completed and water began to back up forming the Lake of the Ozarks and covering towns like Linn Creek.

Boatmen's Bank was established in St. Louis on this date in Missouri history. This landmark operation was specifically for individuals and small investors. Previously banks had mostly served the rich.

A fair was held at the Greene County Courthouse in Springfield to raise funds for the relief of the area’s war orphans.  

Meet two dozen innovators from Missouri's past and present.

A disastrous fire raged through the Kansas City stockyards killing 17,000 cattle and hogs; 30,000 others were set free and survived.  Many had to be rounded up in downtown Kansas City.

A seventh cousin of Kit Carson tells stories of the people on the Santa Fe Trail, which started in our state.

Clear, cool water flows at these six springs.

Here’s how Missourians are working together to revitalize downtowns across the state.

The first Missouri rural mail routes were established from Cairo, MO in Randolph County.

An estate, a wrought-iron bridge, and mile-high apple pie are popular here.

Get your spook on: read tales of water witches, healers, astrologists, tarot readers, and mediums.

The actress, dancer, and singer was born in a home in Independence. This year, it went on the market and sold for $111,500.

Birthday of William B. Waddell whose freight company (Russell, Majors, and Waddell) did much to open trade with the west. He was also a founder of the Pony Express. Read more about him in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

Lizzie Wise drew a crowd as she ascended in her balloon from the Grand Avenue Baseball Park in St. Louis. A stiff wind grabbed the balloon and she was whisked away. She was found the next day in Illinois, hanging from a treetop, unharmed.

The first cross-state long distance call was made. The mayor of Kansas City called to his home from St. Louis.

In honor of the brave leader of the "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" Centerville (west of Rolla on Route 66) was re-named for the leader of the raid, St. Louis oil executive, Jimmy Doolittle. General Doolittle himself was there for the ceremony. 

A French missionary, Father Gravier, noted in his journal, "Discovered the river Mirameguoua, where the rich lead mine is situated, 12 or 13 leagues from its mouth." Today we refer to that river as the Meramec. "Meramec" (Mirameguoua) is an Osage word meaning catfish.

The first Overland Mail from California reached St. Louis. It was carried to the route terminus at Tipton and put on a train for St. Louis. The trip took almost 25 days. 

A glistening oval object was on the ground and a similar oval-shaped object hovered nearby in Barry County. When they flew away a scorched crop circle was left behind. A sheriff's investigation revealed three smaller circles nearby the first.

Opening day of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Yankees.

Gail Breneman talks about the years-long process of bringing her 1890’s property into the new age.

The first large theater in Kansas City, The Coates Opera House, opened on this day. The theater was destroyed in 1901 by a fire.

Fast Lane Classic Cars brings a family project full circle.

Frank James surrendered on the steps of the state capitol. He made a short speech and turned his gun over to the Governor. Read more about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland. 

Warrensburg farm celebrates fall with pumpkins, hayrides, and local fare at its annual Harvest Festival.

Birthday of Alexander Majors of Westport, MO.  He was a co-founder of a huge freighting firm, the Overland Stage Co., and the Pony Express. Read more about him in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

There’s plenty to see at the gardens in Southwest Missouri.

The very first state fair opened in Boonville. State fairs were held in Boonville until 1901.

The first regularly scheduled train service between St. Louis and Kansas City began on this day. It was an 18-hour trip. 

Young artist turns mandatory break from classes into a pandemic commission.

A rural mail carrier describes making her rounds.

An iconic Louis Sullivan building in St. Louis takes on a new life as an upscale hotel.

The pillory and whipping post were established on this date as official forms of punishment in Missouri. The whipping post held a person in place while being lashed with a leather bull whip. The pillory held a personís head and wrists while they endured humiliation or physical pain.

With engine failure in his mail plane, Lucky Lindy (Charles Lindbergh) glided in for a safe landing in a farm field.  Two weeks earlier his plane ran out of gas near Chicago and he was forced to bail out.

The Post-Dispatch reported that General Motors was planning to build a new plastic car in St. Louis. Sure enough, every Corvette in America was built there from 1953 to 1981.

Eleven automobiles were running a 25-mile endurance race to Manchester Mills when a boy ran out and poked a stick through the spokes of one of the wheels. The boy was injured and his father said, "It's a purty thing for city folks to come out to the country and run down innocent children." Yes, that kind of parent was around way back then too.

Missouri Botanical Garden’s Shaw Nature Reserve offers natural wooded habitats for nature lovers year-round. 

Missouri’s largest city is ringing in fall.

Learn how this Springfield couple beat the odds.

O’Fallon was incorporated as a city. At the time, there were 107 householders. It now has tens of thousands of residents and the 2010 census showed it to be Missouri’s fastest growing city.  

Antoine Robidoux was born into the prosperous St. Louis family of that name. His brother was the founder of St. Joseph but Antoine went further west and trapped, explored, and led pioneers into the new territories.

Jayhawks crossed the border and sacked Osceola on this day. The town of 3,000 people was plundered and burned to the ground, and nine local citizens were executed.

James Shields and Abraham Lincoln came to Missouri for a duel. Shields, an Illinois attorney and State Auditor accused Lincoln of writing a newspaper article critical of him. For weapons they chose cavalry sabers but Lincoln convinced Shields that he did not write the article so the duel was called off. Shields probably also noticed that Lincoln’s long arms gave him a much longer reach.

Mound Builders, Germans, and the Mississippi River define the area.

Ewing Marion Kauffman was born in Garden City. He went on to found Marion Laboratories, the Kauffman Foundation, and the Kansas City Royals. He is also the namesake for Kauffman Stadium.

The farm steward of Prairie Birthday Farm at Kearney wants you to get your hands dirty.

Discover the history on the 75th anniversary of the Japanese surrender aboard the ship.

Columbia artists Tony and Bethanie Irons reflect on creating art during a pandemic.

William Clark wrote of the "great velocity" of their trip as they grew ever more eager to get home. They made 65 miles this day and found themselves near present day Washington and Marthasville. One of the men shouted when he saw a cow and they knew they were back on the edge of settled country.

The Beatles spent some secret vacation time in the Ozark Mountains near Alton. They arrived in a seven-seater airplane and spent thirty-six hours relaxing, swimming, hiking, horse riding, go-karting, shooting, and fishing.

Plus, check out a new art exhibit or make a ceramic bowl.

Harry Truman was making remarks to a crowd in Trenton, Missouri, from the rear platform of his train as a part of his whistle-stop campaign tour.

 Charlie O. Finley brought the Beatles to Kansas City on this date. Fewer than half the seats were filled at Municipal Stadium.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these three delicious recipes.

The Golden Rule Merchant, James Cash Penney was born in Nettleton, near present day Hamilton. 

Hannibal-LaGrange College opened as the LaGrange Male and Female Seminary.  

John Vincent scaled the Gateway Arch using suction cups. He then BASE jumped from the top.

General John J. Pershing was born in Laclede.  

Catalpa in Arrow Rock transforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Considered the northernmost Southern state, Missouri is a particularly good place for biscuits and gravy.

St. Louis dedicated a monument to General Nathaniel Lyon on this date. Lyon was the first Union General to be killed in the Civil War.

Lewis and Clark were out of meat and had to stop to send out hunters before they could continue. They were near the mouth of the Nodaway River.

Discover a property that allows you to fulfill your dreams of business ownership or home ownership—or both.

Baseball Hall of Famer Roger Maris was born on this day. He played for both the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals.  

The first Missouri State Fair was held in Sedalia. Previously the fairs were held in Boonville.

Phoebe Couzins was born in St. Louis. She went on to become one of the first female lawyers in the United States and the first woman to be appointed to the US Marshall. She earned a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and she is now buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis. 

Doug and Lori McPike turned a home from the late 1800s in Mexico, Missouri into their dream, modern farmhouse.

After moving to Chicago after college, a Columbia couple fell in love with the architect. Now they're back in Missouri, and are designing their new home in Boone County around it.

The city of Blue Springs was incorporated on this date.

History comes to life in this unique Missouri river town..

Hernando DeSoto’s party of exploration entered Missouri at what is now Ste. Genevieve.  They made camp that night near present day Farmington.  

Birthday of expert on military affairs, railroad and bank withdrawals, Jesse James was born in Clay County, Missouri.

Discover virtual art festivals, socially distanced events, rooftop karaoke, and more in St. Louis. 

Gas prices topped $3.00 per gallon for the first time ever. Hurricane Katrina had shut down the oil wells.

Cartoonist Mort Walker, creator of Beetle Bailey, and loyal University of Missouri Alum was born on this day. Beetle Bailey’s Camp Swampy was modeled after Missouri’s Camp Crowder where Mort Walker had been stationed.  

“The Children’s Poet,” Eugene Field was born on this day in St. Louis.  His boyhood home is now a the Eugene Field and Toy Museum at 634 South Broadway in St. Louis. 

Blondie’s Dolls Toy Shop celebrates German heritage and the extensive doll collection of Blondie Haeberle.

The parent organization of the St. Louis Symphony was organized on this day.  

We know how overwhelming it can be to plan your day out when you visit a new city, so we did it for you. Here are the best places to grab a meal, see artwork, shop, and enjoy the Gateway City.

Missouri will always be home.

Archaeological findings shape our understanding of the past.

A new guide featuring species native to the Midwest makes an essential addition to the gardener’s library.

This is the day that "Le Chasseur," the hunter, Louis Blanchette died. He had earlier established a trading post that he called Les Petite Cotes, or Village of Little Hills. Under the Spanish, the name was changed to San Carlos but the Americans call it St. Charles.

The Steamboat Arabia left St. Louis. It sank at Westport Landing six days later.

Birthday of Joyce C. Hall from Kansas City who founded Hallmark Cards, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Hall of Fame, etc. Read more about him in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

On this day Lieutenant Tito Falconi flew his open-cockpit airplane from St. Louis to Joliet upside down. He was happy to set the record for inverted flight but was a little worried also because one of the straps that held him in broke along the way.

Sudwerk Brewing Co.’s Hindman Junction Session IPL celebrates the Katy Trail’s 30th anniversary and benefits a mid-Missouri charity.

District Attorney Thomas C. Reynolds and editor of the St. Louis Democrat, Benjamin Gratz Brown, fought a duel on Bloody Island.  Brown was wounded, and Reynolds was unhurt.  Brown went on to become Governor of Missouri, and Reynolds went on to become the Confederate Governor of Missouri.

Artist, George Caleb Bingham painted, Order No. 11. showing what General Ewing was doing with Order No. 11. Ewing destroyed the painting with his sword and Bingham quickly painted another. The result was that Ewing's career was seriously damaged and he became one of the most hated men in the war.

Superior Garden Center and Rost Landscaping prepare for the fall digging and planting season.

The riverboat War Eagle burned in St. Louis.  

Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Famer captures the wild horses of the Ozarks.

The Lake St. Louis Water Ski Club chases the thrill.

This the birthday of Jesse Clyde Nichols, the visionary developer who created Kansas City’s beautiful Country Club Plaza. 

The Big Piney is the perfect place to float with multiple camping spots along the way.

After a four-year engagement, Julia Dent married Ulysses S. Grant and moved to a large dogtrot cabin at Hardscrabble Farm known today as Grant's Farm. The open "dog trot" section of Grant's Cabin has been filled in. Settlers often did this to provide a large entrance to their homes and additional living space.

After having robbed dozens of banks and trains over nearly two decades, Frank James finally turned himself in October, 1882. His trial began in Gallatin on today's date. It was held in the city opera house in order to accommodate the crowds of spectators. Read what he did after the trial in Tales from Missouri and the Heartland.

Explore these 19 conservation areas across the state.

Discover food, new brews, and theater in Springfield

Here’s what is happening in Columbia this month

The last buildings in St. Louis' "Chinatown" came down on this date to make room for a stadium parking garage.

Records show a “sharp frost” in Greene County.  This was the beginning of one of the worst winters ever seen.  

R. Buckminster Fuller designed something he called a geodesic dome and placed one in the Missouri Botanical Garden. Calling this one a "Climatron" he explained that it would last for a while but was not a permanent structure. It has been there now for over 50 years and seems able to stand for many more.  

Things were usually quiet in McDonald County until this day when they were thrown into a fever of excitement by the robbery of the McDonald County Bank.

Nature and inspiration will find you in southeast Missouri.

The Bootheel is influenced more by Memphis than by St. Louis, and the area definitely is a member in good standing of the Old South. Stuck like a hatchet in the forehead of Arkansas, the Bootheel and its people, for the most part, feel alienated from the rest of Missouri.

From the “Petticoated Terror of the Plains” Belle Starr to the fearless Bonnie Parker of America’s most notorious criminal couple, Missouri holds ties to more than its share of nefarious women.

Duff Green was born on this date. Green founded the towns of Chariton and Bluffton, and established the first stage line west of the Mississippi. He was a  teacher, lawyer, and the owner and editor of the St. Louis Enquirer, Missouri’s second newspaper.    

A meteorite weighing just over five pounds struck near the town of Cape Girardeau.

On this date the “Mother of Kansas City” was born. Bernice Therese Menard Chouteau and her husband Francois Chouteau came from St. Louis to establish a trading post in 1821. They were the first white settlers in what is now Kansas City.

Charles Lucas and Thomas Hart Benton agreed to their first duel on Bloody Island on this date.

The Missouri Historical Society was established in St. Louis.

The trails of Shaw Nature Reserve offer educational, recreational experiences for visitors.

Missouri became a state. St. Charles was designated as the temporary capitol until a permanent location could be established near the conjunction of the Missouri and Osage Rivers.  

Ever dream of settling down in a quiet town, perhaps in a historic home a stone's throw from the Mississippi River? Maybe it's the dream you didn't know you had. In either case, now's the time to realize it in this four-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home in Clarksville.

The road from St. Louis to St. Charles was declared a public road on this date. It was laid out in 1772. In 1865 it was improved with a rock surface and has been known as St. Charles Rock Road ever since.

These Missouri creatures come out at night.

Sara Teasdale, St. Louis poet, was born on this date.

Explore St. Louis—safely.

Miller Huggins, the St. Louis Cardinals manager, was coaching third base with runners on when the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers sent a rookie pitcher to the mound. Huggins said he wanted to examine the baseball and the rookie tossed it to him. The runner on third then scored.

The Battle of Kirksville was fought.

The Battle of Athens was fought in Athens, Missouri. This Civil War skirmish was the most northern battle west of the Mississippi, and it resulted in a Union victory. Today, you can go visit the Battle of Athens State Historic Site.

On this day Helen Stephens, "The Fulton Flash" dominated the competition and got the gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

This is the birthday of Thornton Grimsley. He was the St. Louis saddle maker who designed the famous Grimsley saddle which was used by the U.S. Army from 1833 onward.

Burgers’ Smokehouse bacon is a flavorful fit for this favorite sandwich.

Birthday of Lamar Hunt who founded the K.C. Chiefs, the A.F.L., Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun and much much more.

St. Louis purchased its first steam-powered fire engine.

William Clarke Quantrill was born on this day.

Baseball Hall of Famer, Casey Stengel was born in Kansas City. His nickname "Casey" came from the initials of his home town, K. C.

Legendary actor William Powell was born in Pennsylvania, though his family moved to Kansas City in 1907.

The founders of Logboat Brewing Co. have opened a brand new cider company.

Committee of Health declared the great cholera epidemic was over. At least 8,423 people died in St. Louis but countless others died along the Missouri River Valley to the west.

Car aficionados’ tastes are changing the market.

The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, predecessor of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad (known as The Frisco), was incorporated on this date.

President Harry Truman did away with segregation in the military with executive order 9981, making it a model for the rest of society.

Semple Scott of St. Louis was granted permission to rent small electric cars similar to two-seat golf carts for getting around the World's Fair. They were called Electric Autochairs.

Birthday of Henry Shaw who spent most of his adult life trying to find ways to give millions of his dollars to benefit St. Louis.  He is most famous for starting the Missouri Botanical Gardens and donating Tower Grove Park, the largest Victorian park in America.

Missouri’s small-batch craft distillers come of age.

This was the reported date when some say the ice cream cone was created and seen for the first time ... at the St. Louis World's Fair, of course.

Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergast was born. Known for using nefarious methods to get his way, Pendergast ran the town of Kansas City and the surrounding Jackson County area for nearly fifteen years, from 1925 to 1939.

Mozarkite was adopted as our official state rock. The attractive rock is suitable for jewelry but was commonly used by Native Americans for arrowheads and tools.

Bonnie and Clyde were involved in another shootout on this day. This time it was at the Red Crown Tavern and Tourist Court in Platte City.

The 68th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is in the chute

Join us on a journey through the backcountry of Shannon County as we search for the most remote location in the state.

How I learned to wakeboard at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The Mountain Grove Journal reported on an old teacher, H. L. Mabrey of Wayne county, had the copy of a contract he made to teach in that county in 1848.

100 years ago in August, women got the right to vote. This woman helped make that happen.

Birthday of Margaret Brown in Hannibal, MO. She led an extremely interesting life, which included being a passenger on the Titanic, and was made famous in the Broadway show and movie called The Unsinkable Molly Brown, named in part for stories about her unbreakable spirit during the ship's sinking. She was portrayed by Kathy Bates in James Cameron's 1997 film Titanic.

The Corps of Discovery spent this day resting. This was the last full day they would have in the area which was to become Missouri.

Joseph Charless was born this day in Ireland. Meriwether Lewis (pictured) brought him to St. Louis where he became the first newspaper publisher in the west.

Cardinals catcher and broadcaster, Mike Shannon (left), was born on this day in St. Louis.

Although this year’s fair may look and feel a little different, the competition, fun, and fair food awaits.

Trio in Cape Girardeau makes vegan dining fun.

These savants of the smoker are dishing up barbecue heaven all summer long.

This 1950s-style restaurant in Crystal City has had the same menu for over seventy years, but the customers wouldn’t want it any other way.

General Nathaniel Lyon was born on this day. He was killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, making him the first Union general to fall during the Civil War.

Birthday of boxing champ, Michael Spinks, from St. Louis. (Brother of Leon Spinks.)