1. In 1822, the Missouri General Assembly granted a charter to the Bank of St. Louis, the first bank chartered within the state.

2. On January 17, 1917, troops from the Missouri National Guard were mobilized for service in World War I, as part of the 35th Division.

3. Famous Missouri-born comedian and actor Redd Foxx passed away on January 17, 1991, in Los Angeles, California. Foxx was best known for his portrayal of Fred Sanford on the hit television show "Sanford and Son."

4. In 1989, Missouri Governor John Ashcroft was inaugurated for his second term. Ashcroft would go on to serve as a U.S. Senator and U.S. Attorney General.

5. On January 17, 1874, the Missouri Pacific Railroad was incorporated. The railroad played a significant role in the development of the Missouri economy and transportation infrastructure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.