October 10, 1700
A French missionary, Father Gravier, noted in his journal, "Discovered the river Mirameguoua, where the rich lead mine is situated, 12 or 13 leagues from its mouth." Today we refer to that river as the Meramec. "Meramec" (Mirameguoua) is an Osage word meaning catfish.
October 9, 1841
Miss Day, a fourteen-year-old girl from St. Louis, became St. Louis's first girl to ascend in a balloon. Mr. S. Hobart took her on a ten-mile trip.
October 8, 1845
The Polyhymnia Society was established in St. Louis and performed its first orchestra concert.
October 7, 1918
On this day all schools, theaters, and public places in St. Louis were closed because of the deadly Spanish Flu.
October 6, 1990
Astronaut, Tom Akers, lifted off on the first of his four space shuttle flights. Akers was born in St. Louis and grew up in Eminence, MO. He graduated from high school in Eminence and from the Missouri Science & Technology University in Rolla. (Bachelors & Masters Degrees)
October 4, 1918
Missouri's first cases of Spanish Flu were reported on this day. This pandemic would eventually kill millions around the globe. In the miserable conditions of World War I more people died from influenza than from wounds.
October 3, 1855
The very first Southeast Missouri District Fair was underway at Cape Girardeau. It has continued annually ever since.
October 2, 1901
Birth of Charles Stark Draper in Windsor, MO. Draper invented the inertial navigation system which controls the flight of aircraft and spacecraft.
