1. On December 23, 1829, the first steamboat, The Yellowstone, arrived in St. Louis, Missouri. This was a significant moment in Missouri history, as it signaled the beginning of a new era of transportation and commerce, which would greatly benefit the state's economy.

2. December 23, 1939, was a notable date for Missouri's aviation history. That day, the first plane from Trans World Airlines (TWA) landed at the newly constructed Kansas City Municipal Airport, which would later be renamed after TWA's founder, Charles Lindbergh.

3. In December 23, 1865, Missouri was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery nationwide. This was a momentous occasion for Missouri, as it demonstrated the state's commitment to promoting equality and justice for all.

4. On December 23, 1913, the first drive-through bank in the United States opened in St. Louis, Missouri. The bank was called the City Centre Bank, and it offered customers access to their accounts via a series of drive-up teller windows, which were a novel innovation at the time.

5. December 23, 1981, marked the closing of Missouri's infamous prison, the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. The prison was notorious for its harsh conditions and overcrowding, and its closure represented a significant step forward for prison reform in the state of Missouri.