The Great Olympic Marathon debacle
On August 30, 1904, the Great Olympic Marathon debacle unfolds at the Summer Olympic Games in St. Louis, Mo.
Let the Olympic Games begin!
St. Louis really had the world’s attention during the summer of 1904 as it hosted not only the World’s Fair but also the Games of the III Olympiad. On August 29, 1904, the Olympics Games officially begin in St. Louis.
The first free kindergarten in the country opens
On August 26, 1873, the first free kindergarten in the country opens in Carondelet. Susan Blow taught the children in the morning at the Des Peres School, while educating the teachers in the afternoon.
August 17, 1804
How did Sedalia, Missouri get its name? The founder was George Rappen Smith. So where did "Sedalia" come from?
August 16, 1868
When you hear the word "bodybuilder," do you think of Bernarr Macfadden? You should. He was born on this date in 1868.
August 15, 1953
Springfield, Missouri's "Great Cobra Scare" began on this date in 1953 when the first of nearly a dozen cobras was found in a yard not far from a pet shop on St. Louis Street.
August 13, 1908
Lula Christman died in Centralia on this date. Her grave was dug a week earlier. It's a strange story.
August 12, 1986
Legal gambling on horse racing began on this date in 1986. The state-sanctioned betting was off and running at the Missouri State Fair.
August 11, 1807
Missouri U.S. Senator David Rice Atchison was born on this date in Frogtown, Kentucky. Atchison also holds the distinction of being U.S. president for one day.
August 10, 1821
On this date in Missouri history, Missouri became a state and St. Charles was designated as the temporary capitol.