Missouri History Today

George A. Whiteman from Sedalia was shot down as his plane took off from Hawaii. He became the first pilot killed in World War II. Whiteman Air Force Base near Sedalia is named in his honor.

Birth of Albert Bond Lambert, the eighth balloon pilot in America and the person who bought, cleared, and leveled a flying field that is now an international airport at St. Louis.

This date in Missouri history: Schools and businesses closed while families stocked up on supplies. This date was predicted to see a gigantic earthquake along the New Madrid Fault. Nothing happened.

On this date in Missouri history: 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.

This date in Missouri history: A new town with 25 houses was springing up in Taney County. The town called Camp Glover was for workers on the new hydro-electric dam.

This date in Missouri history. Henry T. Smith was crushed while quarrying stone for the new Missouri Capitol Building. 

This date in Missouri history: They had a pie supper at the Perkins School in Manes, Mo. The 21-year-old teacher, Joe Todd, was shot clean through. There was no suspect; the teacher recovered.

This date in Missouri history: Walt Disney’s legendary cartoonist, Paul Murry, was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. Murry drew most of the Mickey Mouse comic books. 

This date in Missouri history. The state’s Attorney General’s Office determined that, while women were now allowed to vote and hold official positions, they could not serve on juries because being a jury member was not an official position. 

Philanthropist John O’Fallon was born on this day.  He established the O’Fallon Institute which is now Washington University.