Jean Baptiste-Truteau was born. He was the first schoolmaster in St. Louis and is believed to have written the first poem in Missouri. It was about the attack on St. Louis in 1780 and it accused the Spanish Lieutenant Governor of cowardice.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.