November 18th This Day in Missouri

On November 18, 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 November 18, with local 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 escalated. On or around November 18, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri held rallies in Kansas City to support pro-slavery efforts in Kansas, contributing to the “Bleeding Kansas” conflict.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri was a hotbed of conflict. On or around November 18, Union forces under General Henry W. Halleck continued reorganizing in St. Louis to strengthen Union control, while Confederate guerrilla activities persisted in rural areas.
• 1890: The St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch brewery expanded its refrigerated shipping operations around November 18, enabling broader distribution of Budweiser and reinforcing Missouri’s prominence in the brewing industry.
• 1929: The Great Depression deepened in Missouri. On or around November 18, banks in St. Louis faced increased financial strain, reflecting the worsening economic crisis in the state.
• 2011: The St. Louis Cardinals continued celebrations of their World Series victory over the Texas Rangers, with community events in St. Louis on or around November 18, honoring David Freese’s MVP performance and reinforcing Missouri’s baseball legacy.