Marlin Perkins was born in Carthage, MO on this date. He was an effective and popular head of the St. Louis Zoo and his national television show, “Wild Kingdom,” ran for 23 years.
Remarkable Missourians
Walt Disney spent his boyhood years in Marceline, years he referred to as the best time of his life. Although the Disney family moved away in 1910, many of Walt’s most beloved characters were inspired by his Marceline memories.
Cartoonist Mort Walker, creator of Beetle Bailey, and loyal University of Missouri Alum was born on this day. Beetle Bailey’s Camp Swampy was modeled after Missouri’s Camp Crowder where Mort Walker had been stationed.
“The Children’s Poet,” Eugene Field was born on this day in St. Louis. His boyhood home is now a the Eugene Field and Toy Museum at 634 South Broadway in St. Louis.
Hubert “Hub” Schlafly was born in St. Louis. In 1950 he invented the teleprompter to help soap opera actors. It soon became the politician’s best friend.
Legendary actor William Powell was born in Pennsylvania, though his family moved to Kansas City in 1907.
Today is the birthday of a legendary Missourian—the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown.
William Powell Lear was born on this date near Hannibal.
The “Romancing the Stone” actress was born on this date in 1954.
Educator Susan Blow, credited with founding the first successful kindergarten program in the US was born on this date in Carondelet.
William Duncan Vandiver, congressman from Missouri who is perhaps most known for saying “I’m from Missouri, you’ve got to show me,” died on this date in 1932.
James Buchanan Eads was born on this date in 1820. The famous St. Louisan was responsible for constructing the Eads Bridge, pioneering the use of the diving bell, and building ironclads for the use of the US Navy during the Civil War.
Birthday of President, General, and adoptive Missourian Hiram Ulysses Grant (aka Ulysses S. Grant).
Vice President, Harry S Truman, assumed the Presidency following the death of F.D.R. on this date.
Marguerite Ann Johnson was born in St. Louis. Better know as Maya Angelou, she went on to be nominated for Pulitzer Prize in poetry and a Tony Award and to win three Grammys.
Jack Dorsey, St. Louis native and founder of Twitter, sent the very first post on the platform (called a Tweet) on this date in 2006.
Bob Yapp bought his first house while he was still in high school and conveniently forgot to tell his parents about the purchase. He eventually confessed to his parents, and forgiveness came quickly when he told them about his $60,000 profit.
Walt Disney meets with St. Louis officials to discuss plans for the Riverfront Square theme park. But his plans were met with resistance, particularly from August “Gussie” Busch Jr., who insisted that if a theme park were to be built at the site, Disney would have to sell beer
Phyliss Ada Driver was born on this date. From her home in Webster Groves she performed and became a regular at the Gaslight Square where she was known as Phyliss Diller. She went on to fame with Bob Hope and others.
Sweetheart song and dance woman Ginger Rogers was born. The beauty from Independence and Kansas City was famous for her duet-dances with longtime dance partner Fred Astaire. Read her biography here.
Birthday of Louis Blanchette who founded St. Charles in 1769.
Lewis and Clark were exploring in present day Holt County.
Missouri lost a great treasure on this day. Artist George Caleb Bingham died in Kansas City.
Lewis and Clark had now traversed the entire breadth of the future state of Missouri. They were at the present site of Kansas City and preparing to start north along the western edge of our state.
Actor Dennis Weaver was born in Joplin. He appeared in the CBS Western Gunsmoke and starred the NBC police drama McCloud, among other roles.
King George awarded Charles Lindbergh England’s Distinguished Flying Cross on this day. This and many other Lindbergh items are on display for free at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.
On this day nineteen-year-old Henry Shaw arrived in Missouri. He stepped off the steamboat Maid of Orleans, made a fortune, then retired to look for ways to use his money helping people.
Birthday of comedian, Cedric the Entertainer from Jefferson City and Berkeley, MO.
Millionaire balloonist and adventurer Steve Fossett was born on this day. In 1968, he received an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees.
