September 17th This Day in Missouri

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

• 1806: The Lewis and Clark Expedition was in the St. Louis area on or around September 17, nearing the completion of their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, with St. Louis as their final destination, reinforcing Missouri’s role as a central hub.
• 1857: During the prelude to the Civil War, tensions over slavery were high. On or around September 17, a pro-slavery rally in Kansas City drew Missouri “Border Ruffians,” escalating regional conflicts tied to “Bleeding Kansas.”
• 1861: During the Civil War, the First Battle of Lexington was ongoing in Missouri. On September 17, Confederate forces under Sterling Price tightened their siege on Union troops in Lexington, a key early conflict in the state.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad completed a significant track expansion through southwest Missouri around September 17, connecting Springfield to other regions and boosting the state’s economic infrastructure.
• 1930: The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia was ongoing around September 17, showcasing agricultural innovations and drawing large crowds, reinforcing Missouri’s rural heritage.
• 2004: The St. Louis Cardinals played a significant game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium on September 17, with Albert Pujols hitting a crucial home run, contributing to their strong season and Missouri’s baseball legacy.