On July 13, the following notable historical events related to Missouri have been recorded:

• 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, traveling along the Missouri River, was near present-day Richardson County, Nebraska, just across from Missouri’s Atchison County, on or around July 13. They recorded detailed observations of the local environment and Native American tribes, furthering their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase.
• 1836: The Platte Purchase, which added northwest Missouri to the state, was in its final stages of negotiation around July 13. This acquisition from Native American tribes, including the Iowa and Sac and Fox, expanded Missouri’s territory and opened new areas for settlement.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri saw ongoing guerrilla activity. On July 13, Union forces clashed with Confederate sympathizers in small skirmishes in Boone County, part of the broader struggle for control in the state leading up to the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.
• 1878: The St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch brewery achieved a milestone around July 13 by perfecting its pasteurization process for Budweiser, enabling wider distribution and solidifying Missouri’s role in the national brewing industry.
• 1923: The Missouri State Highway System was officially established around July 13, with the creation of Route 66 (later iconic) connecting St. Louis and Joplin, boosting transportation and economic growth across the state.