Missouri History Today

A former Missouri Representative, Isaac Parker, was appointed to a position as judge in what came to be known as ìThe Court of the Damned.î Parker became famous in the old west as "The Hanging Judge."

The riverboat Shamrock fired a salvo inviting everyone in St. Louis to the very first St. Patrick's Day celebration and parade in St. Louis and possibly the first in Missouri. Now they're wearin' the green in St. Louis, Kansas City, Rolla, Saint Patrick, New Haven, Shamrock, and of course in our Irish Wilderness.

Walt Disney announced plans to open an entertainment complex back in his home state. He wanted to open it on the St. Louis Riverfront. Gussie Busch insisted that he sell beer there but Disney said no. A short time later Disney announced plans for a complex in Orlando. 

Birthday of Senator Thomas Hart Benton. While terribly important in Missouri's history, he also has six counties named for him in other western states.

Opening day at the Home of Throwed Rolls. Lambert’s Café opened on this day in Sikeston.

The life of KC's fabulously talented Charlie "Bird" Parker ended on this day. He was suffering from pneumonia and an ulcer, as well as cirrhosis, and had struggled with declining mental health and an addiction to heroin and alcohol. He was 34 years old. Parker is buried in Lincoln Cemetery near Kansas City.

The University of Missouri Tigers met the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team for the first time. Missouri won 34–32. They played again the very next day and Missouri won 34–12.

Missouri's Supreme Court struck down the 138-year-old "Blue Law" prohibiting shopping on Sunday.  

Birthday of The Missouri Giantess, Ella Ewing. Ella was considered the world's tallest female of her era. She used her great height to earn a living as a sideshow attraction. Born a normal size in La Grange, she grew to a height that is in dispute. Her mother said that the last measurement she took was 8 feet, 4 inches.