October 23, 1992
This date in Missouri history: Two men wearing stocking masks and white overalls rob a Brinks Security guard at United Missouri Bank at 10 South Broadway in downtown St. Louis, stealing nearly $1 million in a still-unsolved crime.
October 22, 1858
This date in Missouri history: The first eastbound Butterfield Overland Stage passed through Springfield on its return trip from San Francisco.
October 21, 1942
The Ha Ha Tonka Mansion, built on the cliffs high above the Niangua River, catches fire, leaving behind the ruins that are still visible near Camdenton.
October 20, 1803
This date in Missouri history. The U.S. Senate approves the Louisiana Purchase that adds more than 800,000 acres of land – including what would become Missouri – to more than double the size of the United States.
October 19, 1955
This date in Missouri history: The Globe-Democrat reported on the new Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. The commander said the building was constructed in such a way that water used to fight any fire would not harm the vital records. The documents were all burned or destroyed by water a few years later.
October 18, 1926
Legendary St. Louis Chuck Berry was born on this date. Berry wrote music for many groups, including The Beach Boys and The Beatles. Paul McCartney once said, "If 'Rock and Roll' didn’t have a name, we’d have to call it 'Chuck Berry music.'”
October 8, 2006
Missouri History Today: Eloise: The Animated Series debuts, displaying the work of St. Louis native Kay Thompson.
October 1, 1812
The first meeting of the general assembly of the Missouri Territory took place, which named the five original counties: St. Louis, St. Charles, Sainte Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid.
Tornado Outbreak in St. Louis
On September 29, 1927, a tornado in St. Louis killed 85, injured as many as 1,500, and destroyed much of the area from Webster Groves to the Central West End and eastward to the Mississippi.