Telegraph diagram

December 21, 1847

The very first telegraph was sent to St. Louis. It was sent to the Missouri Republican newspaper from Louisville.


Painting of Lewis and Clark with Sacagawea leading them through the unsettled lands of Missouri

December 20, 1812

Sacagawea died at Fort Manuel in South Dakota. As promised, Explorer/Governor William Clark took custody of her son, Jean Baptiste and her infant daughter Lisette and raised them in St. Louis.


Cars driving downtown on a cold snowy night. Looking for good food in Springfield Missouri

December 19, 1973

One of the worst traffic jams in St. Louis history was caused by a blizzard and the last minute Christmas shoppers.


Old phone being displayed in Missouri Museum

December 18, 1877

Long distance telephone service began in Missouri. The first line ran between Jackson and Cape Girardeau. St. Louis-Hannibal and Columbia-Rocheport were connected within months.


Voting Poll direction sign

December 17, 1822

Written ballots rather than oral voting was officially required now for all St. Louis elections.


Smithsonian Magazine

December 16, 1811

The first shocks occurred in the largest earthquake ever to shake North America. It was centered on the New Madrid Fault in Missouri. Read More about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.


Budweiser building in downtown St. Louis Missouri

December 15, 1964

On this date, Anheuser-Busch became the first brewery in history to produce ten million barrels of beer in one year.


Old painting of LIlburn Boggs, the sixth governor of Missouri

December 14, 1792

Birthday of Lilburn Boggs. The controversial Boggs was a war hero, fur trader, Jackson County politician, and the sixth Governor of Missouri. He was governor during the Honey War and the Mormon War. He was also instrumental in establishing Missouri's public schools.


Dick Van Dyke laughing and smiling , he was born in West Plains Missouri

December 13, 1925

Birthday of singer-dancer-funnyman, Dick Van Dyke from West Plains, MO.


Old photo of boxing match in Missouri

December 12, 1912

Birthday of St. Louis prizefighter, Henry Armstrong who scored 152 victories and held championship titles in three weight divisions at the same time.