February 13, 1920
This date in Missouri history: The Negro National League is formed in Kansas City. The new league established teams across the Midwest and South, including baseball hotspots like St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City.
February 12, 1971
This date in Missouri history: Missouri native J.C. Penney dies at the age of 91. James Cash Penney was a Missouri business icon who changed the retail industry while also changing millions of lives around the world.
February 11, 1805
Birth of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the only child ever depicted on a U.S. coin. He was born to Sacajawea during the Voyage of Discovery with Lewis and Clark. Jean Baptiste came to St. Louis for his education. He had fantastic adventures in the western U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.
February 9, 1844
After breakfast, 47-year-old Missouri Gov. Thomas Reynolds shut himself inside his office in the Governor’s Mansion and shot himself in the head. He won the governor’s office in 1840. Reynolds previously stablished a successful law practice in Fayette and served as Speaker of the House. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Jefferson City.
February 8, 1947
The first TV station begins broadcasting in St. Louis. KSD was one of only 13 TV stations operating across the country at the time.
February 7, 1882
Wilbur C. Sweatman was born in Brunswick, MO. Sweatman was an African American ragtime and dixieland jazz composer, band leader, and clarinetist. In the late 1890’s, Sweatman became famous for playing three clarinets at once.
February 4, 1893
Marble Cave gets national exposure on the cover of Scientific American magazine. Now called Marvel Cave, Missouri’s deepest known cave has a grand cavern so large that promoters inflated hot air balloons inside to showcase the size of the natural wonder.
January 31, 1930
At the old Jail and Hanging Barn in Boonville, Lawrence Mabry climbed the 13 steps to the loft and was hanged for a killing in Pettis County. This was the last public hanging in Missouri.
January 28, 1981
This day in Missouri history: Rocky Sickman, a hostage in Iran for 444 days came home to cheering crowds and a return to quiet Krakow, Missouri.
January 27, 1908
This date in Missouri history: Magician Harry Houdini introduced his famous “Milk Can Escape” while performing at the Columbia Theatre in St. Louis.