1. The start of the Battle of the Fords in 1861: On August 3, 1861, Confederate forces under the command of General Sterling Price clashed with Union forces under Colonel Franz Sigel at several fords on the Osage River in central Missouri. The battle proved inconclusive and both sides withdrew, but it marked the first significant Confederate incursion into Missouri.

2. The opening of the Gateway Arch in 1965: August 3, 1965 saw the dedication of the Gateway Arch, the iconic monument on the St. Louis riverfront that has become a symbol of the city and the region. The Arch is the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere, standing 630 feet tall.

3. The birth of actor and comedian Martin Lawrence in 1965: Martin Lawrence, who grew up in Landover, Maryland but now lives in Beverly Hills, California, was born on August 3, 1965. Lawrence is best known for his roles in television shows such as "Martin" and "Def Comedy Jam," as well as films like "Bad Boys" and "Big Momma's House."

4. The creation of the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1931: On August 3, 1931, Governor Henry S. Caulfield signed legislation creating the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a uniformed law enforcement agency responsible for traffic enforcement and public safety on Missouri's highways. Today, the Patrol has over 1,200 uniformed officers and operates out of 10 troop headquarters around the state.

5. The establishment of Jefferson City as the capital of Missouri in 1821: On August 3, 1821, Missouri Governor Alexander McNair signed legislation designating Jefferson City as the permanent capital of the state. The city had been chosen for its central location and proximity to the Missouri River, and it remains the capital today.