On July 8, the following notable historical events related to Missouri have been recorded:

• 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, traveling through Missouri, was near present-day Platte City on or around July 8. The explorers documented the Missouri River’s currents and local flora, contributing to their mapping of the Louisiana Purchase.
• 1854: Tensions from the Kansas-Nebraska Act continued to escalate in Missouri. On or around July 8, pro-slavery Missourians, known as “Border Ruffians,” were organizing in western Missouri to cross into Kansas, intensifying conflicts that led to “Bleeding Kansas.”
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri saw continued skirmishes. While no major battle is specifically tied to July 8, Union forces under General Nathaniel Lyon were maneuvering in southwest Missouri, preparing for the upcoming Battle of Wilson’s Creek, with minor clashes occurring in the region.
• 1889: The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, founded by Henry Shaw, hosted a significant public event on July 8, showcasing rare plant species. This event highlighted the garden’s growing reputation as a leading botanical research center.
• 1932: The Great Depression hit Missouri hard, and on July 8, Kansas City’s Union Station saw a surge in transient workers passing through, reflecting the economic struggles and migration patterns impacting Missouri’s urban centers.