Missouri History Today

The U.S. entered World War I on this date.

It was feared that the spring weather would bring out the automobiles and speed limits were being set and enforced. 

The Pony Express started its first run from St. Joseph. Read more about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

The old tavern at Arrow Rock was purchased on this date as the first step in saving the town's jewels of American history.

People across the state were protesting prohibition. A crowd of 10,000 assembled at the St. Louis Coliseum.

The Jackson County Court convened for the first time. It contracted for the building of a two-room log courthouse which was completed that year and still stands today. Built by slaves, this old courthouse was for 40 years the only one between Independence and the Pacific Ocean. It also served for several years as the office of Harry Truman when he was serving as a judge.

To test the market for professional baseball, a team of professional players played an amateur all-star team in St. Louis, winning 15 to 0.

St. Louis steelworker Sonny Liston had only been boxing for eight months when, on this date, he won the Golden Gloves heavyweight crown.

A teachers training college was founded at Maryville. Today it is called Northwest Missouri State University.