On May 3, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: St. Louis traders expanded spring fur trade expeditions, vital to Missouri’s early economy, though no specific event is noted.
• 1856: Missouri’s pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” clashed with Kansas anti-slavery settlers in “Bleeding Kansas,” intensifying violence as spring campaigns grew.
• 1861: Union General Henry W. Halleck, stationed in St. Louis, maintained Missouri’s federal hold, while rural Confederate guerrillas escalated spring raids, fueling strife.
• 1864: Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri units in Arkansas focused on spring logistics, with Missouri under Union control and little Confederate activity.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad’s southeast Missouri lines, linking Cape Girardeau to markets, supported commerce, with early May freight traffic thriving.
• 1929: The Great Depression hit Missouri’s urban centers hard, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing unemployment, while spring relief programs prioritized food aid.
• 2023: The St. Louis Cardinals, a storied MLB franchise, continued their season, building on their legacy of 11 World Series titles, though no specific game is noted for this date.