1. The Battle of Fort Davidson took place in Pilot Knob, Missouri on September 3, 1864 during the American Civil War. Union forces successfully defended the fort against Confederate troops, but ended up retreating during the night.

2. The Missouri State Fair opened on September 3, 1901 in Sedalia. It has since become a major event in the state, drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

3. On September 3, 1930, the first concrete was poured for the construction of the Lake of the Ozarks. The massive reservoir is now a popular tourist destination in central Missouri.

4. Missouri native and baseball legend Stan Musial made his major league debut on September 3, 1941. He went on to spend his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals and became one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

5. The Gateway Arch, a famous landmark in St. Louis, was completed on September 3, 1965. The arch stands at 630 feet tall and is the tallest man-made monument in the United States.