On October 2, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:

• 1806: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, having returned to St. Louis in late September, continued to be celebrated on or around October 2, with local events in St. Louis honoring their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, reinforcing Missouri’s role as a western hub.
• 1857: During the prelude to the Civil War, tensions over slavery escalated. On or around October 2, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri held rallies in Westport to support pro-slavery efforts in Kansas, contributing to the “Bleeding Kansas” conflict.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri was a hotbed of conflict. On or around October 2, Union forces were regrouping after the Confederate victory at Lexington, while Confederate forces under Sterling Price planned their next moves in the state.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad expanded its network through southeast Missouri around October 2, connecting Cape Girardeau to other regions and boosting the state’s economic infrastructure.
• 1925: The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia had recently concluded, and on or around October 2, its organizers began planning for the next year, reinforcing Missouri’s agricultural heritage.
• 2004: The St. Louis Cardinals played a significant game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on October 2, with Albert Pujols hitting a game-winning home run, contributing to their strong season and Missouri’s baseball legacy.