Count Basie, born William James Basie on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey, was one of the most influential figures in jazz history.
Kansas City
The Candlelight Concert series takes classical music and elevates the experience with thousands of candles to create a warm, intimate listening atmosphere. These concerts will be held in Columbia, Jefferson City, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
Kansas City political boss Tom Pendergast was born. Known for using nefarious methods to get his way, Pendergast ran the town of Kansas City and the surrounding Jackson County area for nearly fifteen years, from 1925 to 1939.
In the past, St. Louis and Kansas City were major players in the fashion industry. Their heydays as design and manufacturing hubs ended in the 1970s, but efforts are now underway to fashion a new scene in these two cities.
The Burlington Bridge at Kansas City, also called the Hannibal Bridge, was completed. It was the first bridge ever built across the Missouri River.
Pretty Boy Floyd and his gang were implicated in killing four policemen and their prisoner in front of the Union Station in Kansas City. This event has come to be known as the Kansas City Massacre.
Born in Lebanon, Adam Sharp presented himself as a “traveling evangelist.” He was never very successful though, and in 1908 was living in Kansas City on a houseboat with less than 30 followers. The group, which included several children, was out proselytizing in Kansas City when a police officer asked why the children were not …
The Electirc Park theme park, dubbed “Kansas City’s Coney Island,” was the brainchild of the Heim family, who operated the massive Heim Brewing Company. The park opened near 46th and Paseo, boasting 100,000 lights illuminating attractions like a roller coaster, carousel, swimming pool, skating rink, dance halls, arcades, and even an alligator farm! It remained …
The only president from Missouri was born on this date in 1884.
These are no ordinary french fries. Across Missouri, chefs are putting a hot new spin on the humble spud. Sure, you could dip ’em in ketchup, but these restaurants are bringing something much more exciting than that to the table.
Sometimes it’s fun to wonder “what if?” An exhibit at the Special Collections Gallery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Miller Nichols Library imagines how a number of proposed projects might have reshaped the Kansas City experience.
Democrat political boss, Tom Pendergast, was indicted on income tax charges. Prior to this he had almost complete control of Kansas City and the state Capitol was known as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Bennie Moten, a legendary figure in the development of jazz, passed away on this date in 1935 just his trademark ‘Kansas City sound’ was taking off.
Mountain man Jim Bridger was born on this date.
The influential Filmmaker Robert Altman, known for films such as M*A*S*H and Nashville was born on this date in Kansas City, Missouri.
Original art adds pizzazz to your home. You’ll discover exquisite art at the annual Kansas City Artists Coalition’s auction. The online preview will get you revved up to bid, and there’s a feature for those who require instant gratification.
A recent renovation brings technology to the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. The new interactive touch tables engage adults and children and help spark the desire to learn more about the history of WWI. The exhibit featuring the importance of mules and other animals is not to be missed.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “A Sea of Lights.” It’s especially appropriate this time of year. And we have a literal sea of lights for you to enjoy! Now through Jan. 1, 2024, enjoy a “waterful” holiday treat. Can you say, “HO-HO-HO-H20?”
Missouri History Today December 2, 1897: Westport Joins Kansas City
Missouri History Today November 30, 1956: Clay County Introduces New Health Facility For Kansas City Area
Missouri History Today November 15, 1929: Ed Asner, Missouri’s Emmy-Winning Star, Makes His Debut
Did you ever want to run away and join the circus as a kid? Good news: While you can’t actually join the circus, you can run away and enjoy it! The reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to Missouri Nov.10–12, 2023!
Missouri History Today October 22, 1996: Winter Fury: Power Outage Hits Kansas City
Missouri History Today October 4, 1998: Kansas City Deluge: Flash Flooding Shocks Chiefs-Seahawks Game
Missouri History Today September 19, 2013: Sudden Deluge Strikes Kansas City
Ten years ago, Missouri Life took a look back to what was happening in 1973 across our state, in the nation, and around the world. Take a trip back in time and remember when these things were happening as Missouri Life wrote about them in 2013.
Missouri History Today August 17, 1927: Lindbergh Memorializes New Kansas City Airport
The moment George Brett charged out of the dugout will be forever etched in the minds of baseball fans. Brett just hit a two-run home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the ninth inning to give the Royals the lead. The Yankees challenged the play, claiming the slugger had used too …
Hillary Clinton’s choice of a running mate was closely watched. She selected Tim Kaine on this day in 2016. Kaine attended Rockhurst High School in Kansas City and the University of Missouri-Columbia before launching his political career. Although he never served as Vice President, Kaine became a United States senator in Virginia. Based upon content …