1861

Historical marker location:

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

( Marker is on North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.)

The Civil War.

The "Show-Me State" is Missouri's official nickname and is believed to have originated from a speech given by Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver in 1899. He said, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me."