1. The first Missouri State Capitol building was destroyed by fire on April 11, 1837. The fire was believed to be caused by an overheated stove in the Senate chamber. The building was rebuilt and served as the state capitol until 1911 when the current capitol building was completed.

2. On April 11, 1861, Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson refused President Abraham Lincoln's request to provide troops to fight for the Union Army. This led to Missouri becoming a battleground state during the Civil War, with both Union and Confederate forces fighting for control.

3. Maryville, Missouri was incorporated as a city on April 11, 1872. Today, Maryville is home to Northwest Missouri State University and is known for its strong agricultural industry.

4. The infamous outlaw Jesse James was shot and killed by Robert Ford in St. Joseph, Missouri on April 11, 1882. James had been living under the false name of Thomas Howard and had a $10,000 reward on his head. Ford, a former member of James' gang, shot him in the back of the head in exchange for the reward.

5. On April 11, 1989, Missouri Governor John Ashcroft signed a bill designating the dogwood tree as the official state tree. The bill was sponsored by third grader Melissa Burton of Springfield, Missouri who had written a letter to her state senator suggesting the dogwood as the state tree. Today, the dogwood is a beloved symbol of Missouri's natural beauty.