July 3rd This Day in Missouri

On July 3, the following notable historical events related to Missouri have been recorded:

• 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, exploring the Louisiana Purchase, was traveling along the Missouri River. On or around July 3, the expedition noted significant observations of the region’s geography and Native American tribes near present-day Atchison County, Missouri, contributing to the mapping of the American West.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri was embroiled in conflict. On July 3, Union forces under General Nathaniel Lyon were consolidating control in the state, with minor skirmishes occurring around Springfield and other areas as they countered Confederate militias.
• 1886: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, one of Missouri’s major newspapers, published a notable investigative piece on or around July 3 exposing local government corruption. This underscored St. Louis’s growing influence as a hub for journalism and political reform.