March 1, 1912
The first parachute jump from an airplane takes place in St. Louis. U.S. Army Captain Albert Berry made history when he got into an airplane, took off from Kinloch Field, and then jumped out over Jefferson Barracks Army Base.
February 28, 1983
The M*A*S*H finale ends with Missouri storylines. The television series was based on an award-winning movie directed by Kansas City’s Robert Altman and included local storytellers, from references to Independence, Mo.’s President Harry S. Truman and lead character Col. Sherman Potter reminiscing about his home in Hannibal.
February 27, 1851
On this date in Missouri history: Missouri lawmakers kickstart “Plank Road Mani.” The biggest, longest, and most planked road in America, the Missouri Plank Road, eventually stretched more than 42 miles, running from Sainte Genevieve through Farmington to Iron Mountain.
February 26, 2004
On this date in Missouri history: The Missouri Supreme Court rules that concealed weapons are constitutional.
February 24, 1853
On this date in Missouri history, Lindenwood College is chartered as a women’s college. The university at St. Charles was incorporated by a special act of the Missouri Legislature as the Lindenwood College for Women, making it the oldest women’s college in the “West.”
February 23, 1983
On this date in Missouri history, the Environmental Protection Agency announces its intent to buy all of Times Beach and evacuate the town. After concluding that all the land in the town was contaminated with dioxin, government agencies spent nearly $40 million to buy out the 800 properties.
February 20, 2004
Albert Pujols signs a $100 million, seven-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. One of the top players of the 21st century and of all time, Pujols proved his value for 11 seasons, winning three National League MVP awards. But he shocked fans after the 2011 World Series title when he left St. Louis for a 10-year, $254-million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
February 19, 1980
On this date in Missouri history: The first Mardi Gras celebration is held in Soulard. St. Louis now has the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, trailing only New Orleans.
February 18, 1859
The city of Pacific is incorporated after changing its name from Franklin. With two towns in the state called Franklin, there were issues with mail and train service, as both towns were right along the rails.