March 29, 1995
Josephine Baker is inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians. Baker was an international star and human rights activist, known for her sultry vocals and distinct improvisational dance style. One of the highlights of her life was taking part in the 1963 Freedom March in Washington, D.C., and delivering a speech just before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
“josephine baker a 1927” by janwillemsen is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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March 14, 1835
On this date in Missouri history, legislators pass a bill which reads, “all free persons of color had to apply for a freedom license.” That law meant that not only did African Americans have to apply for freedom, but they also had to prove they met the requirements to be free, which was nearly impossible.
March 13, 1964
On this date in history: The Beatles made their first concert appearance in St. Louis. They appeared in Kansas City on September 17.
March 29, 1827
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.