1) On September 19, 1846, the Donner Party departed Springfield, Missouri, on their ill-fated journey to California. This pioneer group, led by brothers George and Jacob Donner, would become stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter of 1846-47, resulting in the deaths of many members due to starvation and exposure.

2) In 1861, Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson was prevented from joining Confederate forces in Kentucky by a group of Union soldiers on September 19th. Jackson had attempted to organize a secessionist movement within Missouri, but was ultimately forced to flee the state after being defeated by Union forces.

3) The Missouri State Fair officially opened in Sedalia on September 19, 1901. The fair, which has been held annually since that time (with the exception of a few years during World War II), includes a wide variety of agricultural exhibits and competitions, as well as carnival rides, concerts, and other entertainment.

4) The University of Missouri's Memorial Union building was dedicated on September 19, 1926. The building, which was designed by noted architect Jamieson and Spearl, serves as a hub for student activities and features a variety of dining options, meeting spaces, and recreational facilities.

5) On September 19, 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals clinched their division title with a victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. This marked the ninth division championship for the Cardinals and set the stage for their eventual World Series victory later that year.