Birthday of Annie Malone, the founder of Poro University, Annie Malone Children’s Home, and a cosmetic empire that made her America’s first black millionaire. This St. Louis resident helped thousands of black women to earn financial security. Read more about her in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

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.