On May 17, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis traders continued spring fur trade expeditions, a key Missouri economic driver, though no specific event is documented.
• 1849: A massive fire destroyed much of St. Louis’s central business district, highlighting the city’s vulnerability as a growing commercial hub.

• 1856: In “Bleeding Kansas,” Missouri’s “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers, fueling violent territorial disputes in mid-May.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck, based in St. Louis, strengthened federal defenses, while rural Confederate guerrillas escalated spring raids, deepening Civil War divides.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units in Arkansas planned spring campaigns, with Missouri under Union control and minimal Confederate activity.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri network, linking Cape Girardeau to markets, boosted trade, with mid-May freight traffic thriving.
• 1929: The Great Depression deepened Missouri’s economic woes, with Kansas City and St. Louis struggling, while spring relief programs focused on job creation.

On May 18, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis, a Missouri trade hub, saw active spring fur trading with Native American tribes, though no specific event is noted.
• 1856: Missouri’s pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” raided Kansas anti-slavery settlers in “Bleeding Kansas,” driving violence as spring campaigns intensified.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck in St. Louis fortified federal control, while Confederate guerrillas in rural Missouri launched spring attacks, fueling Civil War strife.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri forces in Arkansas prepared for spring operations, with Missouri itself under Union control and minimal Confederate action.
• 1888: Southeast Missouri’s Missouri Pacific Railroad, linking Cape Girardeau to markets, drove economic growth, with mid-May freight operations surging.
• 1929: Missouri’s urban centers, Kansas City and St. Louis, reeled from Great Depression unemployment, with spring public works projects providing temporary relief.
• 1985: The Kansas City Royals, an MLB team, continued their season, building toward their World Series victory later that year, a defining moment in Missouri sports.

On May 19, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis traders expanded spring fur trade expeditions, vital to Missouri’s early economy, though no specific event is recorded.
• 1856: In “Bleeding Kansas,” Missouri’s “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers, escalating territorial violence in mid-May.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck, stationed in St. Louis, maintained Missouri’s federal hold, while rural Confederate guerrillas planned spring raids, deepening tensions.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units in Arkansas focused on spring logistics, with Missouri under Union control and little Confederate activity.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri lines, serving Cape Girardeau, supported commerce, with mid-May freight traffic robust.
• 1929: The Great Depression hit Missouri’s urban centers hard, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing job losses, while spring relief programs prioritized food aid.
• 1941: Missouri’s St. Louis and Kansas City boosted World War II efforts, with factories expanding military output and mid-May recruitment drives gaining traction.

On May 20, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis, a growing Missouri outpost, supported spring trade with Native American tribes, though no specific event is documented.
• 1856: Missouri’s pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” raided Kansas anti-slavery settlers in “Bleeding Kansas,” intensifying territorial clashes in late May.
• 1861: Union General Nathaniel Lyon received permission to act against pro-Confederate forces in Missouri, while Sterling Price negotiated with General Harney to limit troop movements, though tensions persisted.

• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri forces in Arkansas geared up for spring operations, with Missouri remaining quiet under Union dominance.
• 1888: Southeast Missouri’s Missouri Pacific Railroad, linking Cape Girardeau to national markets, drove economic activity, with late May rail traffic surging.
• 1927: Charles Lindbergh began his historic nonstop solo transatlantic flight in the “Spirit of St. Louis,” funded by St. Louis businessmen, cementing Missouri’s aviation legacy.

• 1941: Missouri’s St. Louis and Kansas City boosted World War II efforts, with factories expanding military output and late May recruitment drives gaining traction.

On May 21, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis traders continued spring fur trade expeditions, a key Missouri economic driver, though no specific event is noted.
• 1856: In “Bleeding Kansas,” Missouri’s “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers, fueling violent territorial disputes in late May.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck, based in St. Louis, strengthened federal defenses, while rural Confederate guerrillas escalated spring raids, deepening Civil War divides.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units in Arkansas planned spring campaigns, with Missouri under Union control and minimal Confederate activity.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri network, linking Cape Girardeau to markets, boosted trade, with late May freight traffic thriving.
• 1927: Charles Lindbergh landed the “Spirit of St. Louis” in Paris, completing the first nonstop solo transatlantic flight, a landmark event tied to Missouri’s St. Louis.

• 1941: Missouri’s St. Louis and Kansas City ramped up wartime production, with late May enlistment campaigns targeting skilled defense workers.

On May 22, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis, a Missouri trade hub, saw active spring fur trading with Native American tribes, though no specific event is recorded.
• 1843: The first wagon train departed Independence, Missouri, for Oregon with 700–1,000 migrants, solidifying Missouri’s role as the “Gateway to the West.”

• 1856: Missouri’s pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” raided Kansas anti-slavery settlers in “Bleeding Kansas,” driving violence as spring campaigns intensified.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck in St. Louis fortified federal control, while Confederate guerrillas in rural Missouri launched spring attacks, fueling Civil War strife.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri forces in Arkansas prepared for spring operations, with Missouri itself under Union control and minimal Confederate action.
• 1888: Southeast Missouri’s Missouri Pacific Railroad, linking Cape Girardeau to markets, drove economic growth, with late May freight operations surging.
• 1939: Kansas City “Boss” Tom Pendergast was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for income tax evasion, marking a shift in Missouri’s political landscape.

On May 23, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis traders expanded spring fur trade expeditions, vital to Missouri’s early economy, though no specific event is documented.
• 1856: In “Bleeding Kansas,” Missouri’s “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers, escalating territorial violence in late May.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck, stationed in St. Louis, maintained Missouri’s federal hold, while rural Confederate guerrillas planned spring raids, deepening tensions.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units in Arkansas focused on spring logistics, with Missouri under Union control and little Confederate activity.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri lines, serving Cape Girardeau, supported commerce, with late May freight traffic robust.
• 1929: The Great Depression hit Missouri’s urban centers hard, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing job losses, while spring relief programs prioritized food aid.
• 1941: Missouri’s St. Louis and Kansas City boosted World War II efforts, with factories expanding military output and late May recruitment drives gaining traction.