Remarkable Missourians

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.

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.

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.

Birthday of "The Missouri Artist," George Caleb Bingham.

Very little remains of the once massive cottonwood tree Walter Elias Disney called his “Dreaming Tree.” The coarse, woody debris is an anchor tying a small town in Missouri to the pioneer of the American entertainment industry.

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.