September 28, 1811
Birthday of John Calvin McCoy. The "Father of Kansas City" went to the area to do missionary work. He built a cabin in the Westport area and did business with the eventual travelers on the Santa Fe Trail and Oregon Trail.
September 15, 1806
At the future site of Downtown Kansas City men of the Lewis and Clark expedition were blaming the change from two years of cold, wet climate to that of Missouri's for all the discomfort they are feeling.
September 5, 1997
The American Jazz Museum opened on East 18th Street in Kansas City's hotbed neighborhood for Jazz. They say "Jazz was born in New Orleans but grew up in Kansas City!"
August 30, 1901
Civil Rights activist, Roy Wilkins was born. He lived and worked in St. Louis and Kansas City.
August 29, 1920
Birthday of Charlie "Bird" Parker, the legendary saxophonist who grew up in Kansas City, MO.
August 27, 1896
Elmer F. Pierson was born in Kansas City on this day. He and his brother, John, founded the Vendo company, maker of the first reliable Coca-Cola vending machines. For years they dominated the vending machine industry.
August 12, 1866
Wild Bill Hickok umpired the baseball game between rival teams from Atchison, KS and the Kansas City Antelopes. The Antelopes won 48 to 28. And yes, Wild Bill did wear both six guns while he called balls and strikes so there were no arguments.