Samuel Clemens—who later changed his name to Mark Twain—was born in Florida, Missouri.  Halley’s Comet was seen across the night sky just before his birth, and Twain later told people that he rode in on Halley’s Comet and he would someday ride out. Read more about Mark Twain here.

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.