Missouri History Today

Nineteen soldiers from the 25th U.S. Infantry arrived in St. Louis after riding their bicycles from Missoula, Montana. They were trying to prove the increased mobility of infantry using bikes. The Japanese Infantry actually had great success with bikes forty years later in Southeast Asia.

Phyliss Ada Driver was born on this date. From her home in Webster Groves she performed and became a regular at the Gaslight Square where she was known as Phyliss Diller. She went on to fame with Bob Hope and others.

The national dance marathon was narrowing down at the St. Louis Coliseum. Eighteen-year-old Hilda Johnson dropped out after 147 hours. She got a world record and $700. Three men were still dancing. 

Birthday of Missouri's first Congressman, John Scott from Ste. Genevieve. A brilliant lawyer and debater, Mr. Scott did have a temper. One morning he challenged five different men to duels.

"Meeting of the Waters," the beautiful fountain across from Union Station in St. Louis was dedicated on this day. It was controversial at the time because of the nude figures.

J.B. Shelton of Sulphur Springs caught a 200 pound gar and inside he found an antique pocket watch, a silver fork, and a silver spoon.

It was "Dizzy Dean Week" in St. Louis in celebration of the movie The Pride of St. Louis. Dizzy was in town for the week and said he didn't care if it wasn't exactly accurate.

After existing for a couple decades as a river trading port then briefly being known simply as the town of Kansas, Kansas City added the "City" to its name to avoid confusion with the newly formed territory of Kansas. Kansas City was incorporated as we know it today on this date.

Winston Churchill delivered the famous "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College in Fulton.

Lieutenant Harold George Schrier, a Missourian, led a group of US Marines up Mount Suribachi and, on this date, planted a flag at her top signaling the great victory at Iwo Jima. Schrier was born at Corder, MO and want to school at Lexington, MO.