1. Missouri became a state on August 10, 1821, but the groundwork for statehood was laid on August 1, 1812, when a convention was held in St. Louis to petition Congress for statehood. At the time, Missouri was part of the larger Missouri Territory, which also included parts of present-day Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

2. In 1917, the United States entered World War I, and Missouri played an important role in supporting the war effort. On August 1 of that year, the Missouri State Council of Defense was created to coordinate local efforts to conserve food, fuel, and other resources, as well as to promote patriotic education and volunteerism.

3. Harry S. Truman, Missouri's only president, was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri. He was a senator from Missouri before becoming Vice President under Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. After Roosevelt's death, Truman became President and served from 1945 to 1953. Truman's legacy includes the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine, and the desegregation of the military.

4. The Gateway Arch, one of Missouri's most iconic landmarks, was completed on October 28, 1965. It stands at 630 feet tall and serves as a symbol of America's westward expansion. The Arch was designed by architect Eero Saarinen and is located in St. Louis, Missouri.

5. Missouri is home to several notable college and universities, including the University of Missouri, which was founded on August 1, 1839. The University is the state's flagship institution and is known for its strong programs in journalism, medicine, and law. Other notable institutions in Missouri include Washington University in St. Louis, Webster University, and Missouri State University.