1. Missouri received statehood on December 30, 1821. After being part of several territories, Missouri was admitted as the 24th state in the US. Its state motto is "Salus populi suprema lex esto," which means "The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law."

2. On December 30, 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman arrived in St. Louis, Missouri, during his march to the sea. He met with General William S. Rosecrans and other Union officials to discuss military strategy. Sherman's march to the sea was a crucial campaign in the Civil War, which helped lead to the Union victory.

3. Titan, a new roller coaster at Six Flags St. Louis, opened on December 30, 1999. The coaster is 255 feet tall, reaches speeds of up to 85 miles per hour, and includes a 540-degree helix. It was the tallest and fastest coaster in Missouri at the time of its debut.

4. The Gateway Arch, a symbol of St. Louis and a National Park, was completed on December 30, 1965. The arch stands at 630 feet tall and is made of stainless steel. It was designed by Eero Saarinen and is the tallest arch and monument in the world.

5. The Missouri Tigers football team won their first bowl game in 14 years on December 30, 2014. They defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 33-17 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The Tigers finished the season with a 11-3 record and were ranked 16th in the country.