Sunday, December 27, 2026
December 27th This Day in Missouri
All day
On December 27, the following notable historical events related to Missouri occurred:
- 1806: Zebulon Pike’s expedition, sent 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-Christmas slowdowns.
- 1856: In the “Bleeding Kansas” crisis, pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri persisted in raiding Kansas anti-slavery settlements, with tensions fueling violent clashes over the territory’s slavery status, though activity may have been reduced post-Christmas.
- 1861: During the Civil War, Union General Henry W. Halleck, commanding from St. Louis, strengthened federal control, while Confederate guerrilla raids resumed in rural Missouri after Christmas, intensifying the state’s internal conflict.
- 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 around this date due to the holiday season.
- 1888: The Missouri Pacific Railroad advanced its southeast Missouri network, connecting towns like Cape Girardeau to national markets, fostering economic growth, though operations likely slowed after Christmas.
- 1929: The Great Depression devastated Missouri, with Kansas City and St. Louis facing mass unemployment and business failures, while post-Christmas relief efforts attempted to alleviate 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 Christmas.