May 26, 1780
The little town of St. Louis was attacked by 1000 British and their Indian allies. At least 21 settlers were killed. If the British had won, would the Louisiana Purchase have happened?
May 25, 1955
Kenny Schrader was born in St. Louis. He began his racing career on a go-kart in his yard and then moved up to the dirt track at Pevely. He went on to become one of the top drivers in the nation.
May 24, 1904
The ferris wheel at the St. Louis World's Fair was tested for the first time. It stood twenty-five stories tall and could carry two thousand people
May 23, 1874
The Eads Bridge across the Mississippi was opened for pedestrians. This privately funded bridge cost five cents to cross or, for ten cents, you could stay and "promenade in the cool river breezes."
May 22, 2011
A terrible tornado destroyed a huge portion of Joplin. The worst hit was the city's main hospital. Over 7,500 homes were also hit. The death toll was over 160. In the days and week after the disaster, the community rallied together to help each other.
May 21, 1804
The Lewis and Clark Expedition (the Voyage of Discovery) spent most of the day in St. Charles as the men took their last chance to attend church. Most of them were expected to die along the way so the Captains allowed them plenty of time. They didn't push off until about 3 PM. They made three miles progress that first day and camped on an island at the mouth of the Bonhomme Creek, which is now Chesterfield.
May 20, 1951
Today astronaut Tom Akers was born in St. Louis. He grew up in Eminence and graduated from Eminence High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1973 and 1975, respectively. Eventually Colonel Akers made four trips into space.
May 19, 1907
A great day for Kansas City! More than 53,000 people attended the grand opening of the new Electric Park. The Heim Brothers opened the amusement park near their brewery. They had operated a brewery in Manchester, Missouri but later moved to Kansas City where they operated the world's largest brewery during the pre-prohibition years.
May 18, 1873
A Globe-Democrat article stated that Henry Shaw was so upset by the ways that visitors were treating his flowers and plants that he was considering closing the gates to the general public.
