On August 1, the following notable historical events related to Missouri have been recorded:
- 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, navigating the Missouri River, was near present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa, across from Missouri’s Atchison County, on or around August 1. They held a significant council with Otoe and Missouri tribes, exchanging gifts and discussing trade, advancing their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase.
- 1838: During the Mormon War in Missouri, tensions escalated further. On or around August 1, non-Mormon vigilantes in Daviess County intensified their campaign against Mormon settlers, with skirmishes and threats contributing to the conflict that led to the Mormon expulsion order later in 1838.
- 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri remained a battleground. On August 1, Union forces under General Nathaniel Lyon were actively maneuvering in southwest Missouri, engaging in minor clashes near Springfield as they prepared for the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.
- 1870: The Kansas City Stockyards began significant operations around August 1, solidifying Kansas City’s role as a major livestock trading hub and boosting Missouri’s agricultural economy.
- 1904: The St. Louis World’s Fair, or Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was ongoing, with August 1 featuring international trade exhibits and early Olympic events, highlighting Missouri’s global cultural and economic prominence.
- 1966: The Gateway Arch in St. Louis was officially opened to the public around August 1, with tram rides to the top beginning, marking a milestone in Missouri’s architectural and tourism history.