Major Albert Lambert, on behalf of the Missouri Aeronautical Society of which he was a member, leased a field northwest of downtown St. Louis on this date in 1920.
St. Louis
Henry Shaw opened his botanical garden to the public on this day.
Known for such compositions as “The Entertainer” and “Maple Leaf Rag,” Scott Joplin is one of the most important figures in ragtime music. At the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, visitors can retrace his time spent in St. Louis.
Born in 1893 near Clark, Mo., Gen. Omar Bradley was known as “the soldier’s general” and was Commander of the 12th Army during World War II. One of America’s greatest generals, he commanded the largest American force ever united under one man’s leadership during that war. After the war Bradley became the first chairman of …
Ozark National Scenic Riverways (NSR) was created by an Act of Congress on August 27, 1964, to protect 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Ozark NSR was the nation’s first “scenic riverways”—preceding the Wild and Scenic River Act by four years. President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law and Ozark NSR became …
The Lake St. Louis Water Ski Club chases the thrill.
Educator Susan Blow, credited with founding the first successful kindergarten program in the US was born on this date in Carondelet.
Mary Engelbriet’s artistic abilities surfaced early. By age 11 she was already producing works of art. Her high school guidance counselor at Visitation Academy encouraged her to attend college and become a teacher, but Englebreit had other plans. She skipped both college and design school and soon had what the Wall Street Journal dubbed “her …
Dubious theater owners didn’t think people wanted to see a movie about space and robots. Boy, were they wrong! Only the Creve Coeur Cine saw the potential of the light saber legend-in-the-making. The Star Wars franchise would become an epic entertainment empire spawning sequels, legions of “force be with you” fans, merch, and more that …
The first course west of the Mississippi opened in Normandy as a club for affluent St. Louis citizens to escape the pressures of city living. The private club was founded by two prominent residents, George McGrew and Albert Bond Lambert. At one point in its history, Glen Echo even had its own train stop so …
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.
They’re noisy. They’re everywhere. They’re … surprisingly delicious? For entomologists at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, this spring’s cicada emergence is the perfect opportunity to try out some new recipes. Cicada scampi, anyone?
Today astronaut Tom Akers was born in St. Louis. He grew up in Eminence and graduated from Eminence High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1973 and 1975, respectively.
On this date in 1896, through May 24th, the most famous show of its type, the original and biggest spectacle of its age, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show stopped in St. Louis. It set up at the corner of Compton and Manchester. The show was so large it required 15 acres of empty ground to …
A fire that would destroy a significant portion of St. Louis broke out on this date in 1849.
American Baseball Hall of Fame catcher, coach and manager, and Purple Heart recipient, Lawrence Peter Berra was born in the Hill area of St. Louis on this date. He got the nickname Yogi as a teen. One afternoon he and pal Jack Maguire went to the movies. Along with the feature, the two saw a …
Located in the 1800 block of Market in Aloe Plaza, the “Meeting of the Waters” fountain was designed by Carl Milles, who was selected by Louis Aloe to design the majestic fountain. It was completed in 1939. The fountain consists of fourteen bronze statues. The fountain’s figures are meant as an allegory: The figures are …
The St. Louis streetcar strike began on this date in 1900. It would continue for four months.
These are no ordinary french fries. Across Missouri, chefs are putting a hot new spin on the humble spud. Sure, you could dip ’em in ketchup, but these restaurants are bringing something much more exciting than that to the table.
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, arrived in St. Louis on this date in 1825. Lafayette fought in the Revolutionary War and was among George Washington’s most trusted generals. Later, he returned to France and was an influential figure in the French Revolution. During the years of 1824-25, Lafayette returned …
The oldest radio station west of the Mississippi began audio broadcasting. This St. Louis University station claims to be the second oldest station in America. It actually began operating in 1912 but only broadcast in Morse code. WEW stands for We Enlighten the World.
A lethal heist gone wrong took place on this date in 1953.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt presented St. Louis native and aviation ace Lieutenant (junior grade) Edward Henry (“Butch”) O’Hare, United States Navy, with the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House on this day in 1942. O’Hare was section leader and pilot of Fighting Squadron 3, when on February 20, 1942, he lost …
Back for Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, cabaret duo Amy Jo Jackson and Brian Nash will explore the depths of the diva archetype with a brand-new show. Judy Garland, Fanny Brice, and Annie Lennox are just a few of the figures represented.
Founder of the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Pulitzer Prize, Joseph Pulitzer was born on this day. He arrived in St. Louis from New York penniless in October of 1865.
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.
Mountain man Jim Bridger was born on this date.
The artists of St. Louis’s Third Degree Glass Factory are joining creative forces with other artists in the area to create something completely unique. The new exhibit, Elements:A Collaborative Exhibition, combines glass art with other media.