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

• 1806: Zebulon Pike’s expedition, launched from St. Louis to explore the southern Louisiana Purchase, continued mapping the Arkansas River region, though no specific Missouri event is documented for this date, likely due to post-New Year’s slowdowns.
• 1856: In the “Bleeding Kansas” crisis, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri resumed raiding Kansas anti-slavery settlements after New Year’s, escalating violent clashes over the territory’s slavery status.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Union General Henry W. Halleck, commanding from St. Louis, reinforced federal control, while Confederate guerrilla raids in rural Missouri likely resumed post-New Year’s, intensifying the state’s internal divisions.
• 1864: After Confederate General Sterling Price’s failed Missouri campaign, his forces, including Missouri units, were regrouping in Arkansas following October defeats, with minimal activity likely immediately after New Year’s.
• 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad advanced its southeast Missouri network, connecting towns like Cape Girardeau to national markets, fostering economic growth, though operations likely restarted slowly after New Year’s.
• 1929: The Great Depression devastated Missouri, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing mass unemployment and business failures, while post-New Year’s relief efforts sought to address ongoing economic hardship.
• 1941: Missouri communities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, escalated World War II mobilization post-Pearl Harbor, with local industries resuming war production and recruitment drives intensifying after New Year’s celebrations.