1. Missouri became a state on February 18, 1821. After being a territory for 21 years, Missouri officially joined the United States as the 24th state.
2. On February 18, 1861, Jefferson City became the capital of Missouri. The Missouri government moved the capital from St. Louis to Jefferson City during the Civil War to be closer to the state's center.
3. Missouri native and baseball legend Yogi Berra was born on February 18, 1925. Berra played for the New York Yankees for 19 seasons and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
4. On February 18, 1938, the first ever televised college basketball game was played at the Brewer Fieldhouse in Rolla, Missouri. The University of Pittsburgh defeated the University of Missouri 46-27 in front of a small crowd, but millions watched at home on television.
5. The Missouri State Capitol building was completed on February 18, 1917. The Capitol building is located in Jefferson City and serves as the seat of government for Missouri. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.