On October 4, 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 4, with local events in St. Louis honoring their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, reinforcing Missouri’s role as a western hub.
• 1855: During the “Bleeding Kansas” prelude, pro-slavery Missourians, known as “Border Ruffians,” were active on or around October 4, organizing in Kansas City to influence Kansas Territory politics, escalating tensions in the region.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri was a hotbed of conflict. On or around October 4, Union forces were regrouping after the Confederate victory at Lexington, while Confederate forces under Sterling Price planned their next strategic moves in the state.
• 1885: The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis hosted a significant public exhibition around October 4, showcasing rare plant species and reinforcing its reputation as a leading botanical research center.
• 1927: The Kansas City Stockyards processed a record number of livestock around October 4, underscoring Kansas City’s role as a major agricultural hub.
• 2004: The St. Louis Cardinals played a key playoff game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 4, with Albert Pujols hitting a crucial home run, advancing their postseason run and reinforcing Missouri’s baseball legacy.