Missouri History Today

The Globe-Democrat reported that the St. Louis County Highway Department would use manpower wherever possible instead of labor-saving machinery on construction projects. Engineer Roy Jablonski hoped the move would help put more men to work.

Today is the birthday of statesman John Brooks Henderson from Lincoln County, MO. He was appointed a Senator and, after Lincoln's death, Henderson co-wrote the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution which prohibited slavery in the U.S.

On this date, Sikeston High School toppled Kennett in football, 147-0.

John Joseph Houghtaling was born on this day in Kansas City. He invented the Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed, a common feature in mid-priced hotels and motels from the 1960s to 1970s. "Hey, gotta quarter?"

This was the night of the "Great Star Shower of 1833." It was said to be so bright that a newspaper could be read on the street. One writer says, "For nearly four hours the sky was literally ablaze." Many thought the end of the world had come.

The St. Louis School Board fired a male teacher who had filed for divorce. Discussion of such a scandal was sure to bring harm to the students. Of course, women teachers weren't allowed to be married in the first place.

Today in Missouri (and world) history is Armistice Day. World War I ended today. Missouri Life proudly salutes the service of our veterans across the country.

Elijah Lovejoy was born on this date. Lovejoy was a crusading newspaper publisher, who got his start in St. Louis, and he was abolitionist who was killed when a mob came to break up his press in Alton, Illinois. 

Mellcene Thurman Smith and Sarah Lucille Turner became the first women elected to the State Legislature.