1. In 1821, Missouri officially became the 24th state to join the United States. This followed a controversial admission process that involved the Missouri Compromise, which aimed to balance the number of free and slave states in the country.

2. On October 22, 1861, the Battle of Fredericktown took place in southeastern Missouri during the Civil War. Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant and local soldiers defeated a Confederate brigade, solidifying Union control of the region.

3. The Missouri State Capitol building in Jefferson City was completed on October 22, 1917, after several years of construction. The building stands as a symbol of the state's political power and history, featuring a dome that is one of the largest in the world.

4. In 1970, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was designated as a National Historic Landmark. The arch, which was completed in 1965, stands at 630 feet and offers panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River.

5. On October 22, 2013, Michael Sam, a college football player from the University of Missouri, came out as gay, becoming the first openly gay NFL draft pick. His announcement sparked a national conversation about LGBTQ+ acceptance in sports and helped pave the way for greater inclusion in athletics.