February 2, 1952

Josephine Baker returned to Missouri to do a charity performance. A crowd of 8,000 turned out to see her.

February 1, 1902

Novelist, playwright, and short story writer Langston Hughes was born in Joplin.

January 29, 1944

The USS Missouri was launched was launched on this day.

January 28, 1817

Governor William Clark authorized a territorial lottery. It was to use profits to purchase fire equipment for the territory’s capital city, which was St. Louis.

January 13, 1969

The young man from a background of extreme poverty was sworn in on this date to become the first Missouri Governor to serve consecutive terms. His name was Warren E. Hearnes.

January 12, 1997

Steve Fossett took off from Busch Stadium aboard his balloon "Solo Spirit" and set a world distance record when he landed in India.

January 9, 1890

Frank Boughton, a butcher in Hillsboro was offering fresh beef at 4 to 6 cents per pound.

January 7, 1856

The Mississippi River was frozen over, and people were walking across.

January 1, 1914

Missourians Tom Benoist and Tony Jannus began the first scheduled passenger airline service in America.