July 18th This Day in Missouri

On July 18, the following notable historical events related to Missouri have been recorded:

• 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition was navigating the Missouri River, near present-day Nebraska City, Nebraska, across from Missouri’s Nemaha County, on or around July 18. They documented the river’s challenging conditions and interactions with local Native American tribes, contributing to their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase.
• 1838: During the Mormon War in Missouri, tensions continued to escalate. On or around July 18, conflicts between Mormon settlers and non-Mormon residents in Daviess and Carroll Counties intensified, with skirmishes and mutual accusations, setting the stage for the violent expulsion of Mormons later that year.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri saw ongoing conflict. On July 18, Union forces under General Nathaniel Lyon were active in southwest Missouri, engaging in minor skirmishes near Springfield as they prepared for the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, a major upcoming engagement.
• 1876: The St. Louis-based Missouri Botanical Garden, founded by Henry Shaw, hosted a significant public exhibition around July 18, showcasing rare orchids and tropical plants, reinforcing its status as a leading botanical research center.
• 1904: The St. Louis World’s Fair, or Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was ongoing, with July 18 featuring international trade exhibits and demonstrations of new technologies, highlighting Missouri’s role as a global economic hub.