Missouri History Today

Tar and feathers? That was just one of the anti-chicken thief punishments promised by a new vigilante group in Shelby County 122 years ago.

Missouri History Today is a regular feature of missourilife.com that chronicles the Show-Me State's history day by day. What dates, events, or accomplishments are we missing from our collection?

William Lear, the Hannibal, Mo. native most associated with the Lear Jet, is credited with getting the patent for the first car radio in 1931.

On this date in Missouri history in 1937, the final trolley car parade took Springfield residents across the city one last time before the trolleys were retired. 

Missouri History Today is a regular, online feature from Missouri Life magazine. We look at significant dates in Show-Me State history that shaped who were are today.

Did cell phone service really begin 76 years ago? Find the answer with Missouri History Today at missourilife.com.

On this date in Missouri history, African American entrepreneur Annie Pope Malone dies. She grew her small business into a household name in the early 1900s, making her one of the wealthiest women in St. Louis.

Mastodon bones are discovered in Missouri. Although the exact date of discovery is unknown, it was around this day that a farmer near current-day Imperial found large fossils that he wanted inspected.

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.

Today in Missouri history. Economist Henry L. Call was speaking at the Opera House in Monett. He told how economic panics could be avoided in the future. Tickets cost 15 cents and included a copy of Mr. Call’s newest book as a gift from the Monett Free Library.