December 23rd This Day in Missouri

On December 23, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: Zebulon Pike’s expedition, sent from St. Louis to explore the southern Louisiana Purchase, continued mapping the Arkansas River region, though no specific Missouri event is documented for this date.
• 1856: In the “Bleeding Kansas” crisis, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri persisted in raiding Kansas anti-slavery settlements, intensifying violent clashes over the territory’s slavery status.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Union General Henry W. Halleck, commanding from St. Louis, reinforced federal control, while Confederate guerrilla raids disrupted rural Missouri, heightening state divisions.
• 1864: After Confederate General Sterling Price’s failed Missouri campaign, his forces, including Missouri units, were reorganizing in Arkansas following October defeats, with some activity likely around this date.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad advanced its southeast Missouri network, linking Cape Girardeau to broader trade routes, driving regional economic and agricultural expansion.
• 1929: The Great Depression deepened in Missouri, with Kansas City and St. Louis grappling with soaring unemployment, widespread business failures, and failing banks, devastating local economies.
• 1941: Missouri communities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, escalated World War II mobilization post-Pearl Harbor, with industries ramping up war production and enlistment efforts growing rapidly.