Date:
Friday, October 17, 2025
Duration:
All Day
Categories:
This Day in Missouri *

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

  • 1806: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, having returned to St. Louis in late September, was still celebrated on or around October 17, with ongoing festivities in St. Louis honoring their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, reinforcing Missouri’s role as a western hub.
  • 1857: During the prelude to the Civil War, tensions over slavery were high. On or around October 17, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri held meetings in Kansas City to support pro-slavery efforts in Kansas, escalating the “Bleeding Kansas” conflict.
  • 1864: During the Civil War, Confederate forces under General Sterling Price were active in Missouri during Price’s Raid. On or around October 17, they engaged in skirmishes with Union forces near Sedalia, continuing their campaign through the state.
  • 1890: The Missouri Pacific Railroad expanded its network through southeast Missouri around October 17, connecting Cape Girardeau to other regions and boosting the state’s economic infrastructure.
  • 1927: The Kansas City Stockyards processed a record number of livestock around October 17, underscoring Kansas City’s role as a major agricultural hub and boosting Missouri’s economy.
  • 1964: The St. Louis Cardinals celebrated their World Series victory over the New York Yankees, finalized two days prior, with festivities in St. Louis on or around October 17, reinforcing Missouri’s baseball legacy.