1. On December 17, 1792, pioneer Daniel Boone arrived in what is now St. Charles, Missouri, after a long journey westward from Kentucky. Boone had been hired by a Spanish colonial governor to lead a group of settlers to the area and establish a new settlement.

2. The Missouri River froze over on December 17, 1830, allowing for the first recorded crossing of the river on foot. The event was celebrated by local residents and helped to solidify the importance of the Missouri River in the region's transportation and commerce.

3. December 17, 1862, saw the Battle of Prairie Grove, one of the largest battles fought in Arkansas during the Civil War. Missouri troops played a significant role in the Union victory, with several regiments earning praise for their bravery in the face of Confederate forces.

4. The Missouri State Capitol was dedicated on December 17, 1917, marking the end of a four-year construction project. The building, which still serves as the seat of Missouri's government, boasts a beautiful rotunda and impressive murals depicting the state's history.

5. In 1983, the Missouri Department of Conservation launched its Operation Game Thief program on December 17. The program encourages citizens to report poaching and other wildlife-related crimes and has been instrumental in protecting Missouri's natural resources.