September 20th This Day in Missouri

On September 20, 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 20, nearing the end of their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, preparing to return to St. Louis, which served as their final destination and a key hub.
• 1846: Missouri volunteers for the Mexican-American War, including the First Missouri Mounted Volunteers under Alexander Doniphan, were en route from St. Louis around September 20, heading toward their campaign in the Southwest.
• 1861: During the Civil War, the First Battle of Lexington reached its climax in Missouri. On September 20, Confederate forces under Sterling Price captured the Union garrison in Lexington after a prolonged siege, marking a significant Confederate victory in the state.
• 1890: The Missouri Pacific Railroad expanded its network through southeast Missouri around September 20, connecting Cape Girardeau to other regions and boosting the state’s economic infrastructure.
• 1925: The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia was ongoing around September 20, showcasing agricultural innovations and drawing large crowds, reinforcing Missouri’s rural heritage.
• 1998: The St. Louis Cardinals played a notable game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on September 20, with Mark McGwire hitting his 69th home run of the season, continuing his record-breaking campaign and cementing Missouri’s baseball legacy.