On December 29, 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, likely due to the post-Christmas slowdown.
- 1856: In the “Bleeding Kansas” crisis, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri persisted in raiding Kansas anti-slavery settlements, fueling violent clashes over the territory’s slavery status, though activities may have been reduced post-Christmas.
- 1861: During the Civil War, Union General Henry W. Halleck, commanding from St. Louis, strengthened federal control, while Confederate guerrilla raids resumed in rural Missouri after Christmas, intensifying the state’s internal conflict.
- 1864: After Confederate General Sterling Price’s failed Missouri campaign, his forces, including Missouri units, were regrouping in Arkansas following October defeats, with minimal activity likely during the holiday season.
- 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad advanced its southeast Missouri network, connecting towns like Cape Girardeau to national markets, fostering economic growth, though operations likely slowed during the holiday period.
- 1929: The Great Depression devastated Missouri, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing mass unemployment and business failures, while post-Christmas relief efforts attempted to alleviate widespread economic hardship.
- 1941: Missouri communities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, escalated World War II mobilization post-Pearl Harbor, with local industries resuming war production and recruitment drives intensifying after the Christmas season.