On January 24, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: Zebulon Pike’s expedition, launched from St. Louis to explore the southern Louisiana Purchase, continued its winter exploration along the Arkansas River, though no specific Missouri event is recorded, likely due to minimal activity in the winter season.
• 1856: In the “Bleeding Kansas” conflict, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri sustained raids on Kansas anti-slavery settlers, aiming to influence the territory’s slavery status, with violence continuing into late January.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Union General Henry W. Halleck, based in St. Louis, worked to maintain federal control, while Confederate guerrilla groups in rural Missouri planned winter raids, exacerbating the state’s internal divisions.
• 1864: After Confederate General Sterling Price’s failed Missouri campaign, his forces, including Missouri units, remained in Arkansas, focusing on winter recovery, with little direct activity in Missouri during this time.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri expansion, connecting towns like Cape Girardeau to national markets, supported regional economic growth, with operations fully resuming post-holidays.
• 1929: The Great Depression gripped Missouri, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing severe unemployment and business closures, while local relief organizations intensified efforts to aid communities in the winter.
• 1941: Following Pearl Harbor, Missouri cities like St. Louis and Kansas City accelerated World War II mobilization, with factories increasing military production and recruitment drives expanding to support the war effort.