1. In 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida, carrying Missouri-born astronaut Michael Collins. Collins was born in Rome, Italy, but grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and later attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He served as the Apollo 11 Command Module pilot, orbiting the Moon while his fellow crew members Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed and walked on its surface.

2. On July 16, 1827, the steamboat Helen McGregor exploded and sank in the Missouri River near St. Charles, Missouri. The boat was carrying passengers and cargo from St. Louis to Independence, Missouri, and had just made a stop in St. Charles before the explosion occurred. At least 15 people were killed in the disaster, and many more were injured or missing.

3. In 1861, the Battle of Carthage was fought in southwest Missouri during the early months of the American Civil War. Confederate forces under the command of General Sterling Price clashed with Union troops led by Colonel Franz Sigel. Despite being outnumbered, the Confederates were able to drive the Union forces back, and the battle is regarded as one of the first significant engagements of the war in Missouri.

4. On July 16, 1972, an F3 tornado struck the town of Gallatin, Missouri, causing significant damage and injuring more than 200 people. The tornado was part of a larger outbreak of severe weather that affected the central United States that day, with more than 40 tornadoes reported across six states.

5. In 1998, Kansas City Royals outfielder Jermaine Dye hit for the cycle in a game against the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Dye became the first Royals player to accomplish the feat since George Brett in 1990, and only the seventh player in franchise history to do so. The Royals won the game 10-3.