Missouri

• 1673: French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet explored the Mississippi River and the Missouri River, marking the first recorded European contact with the region.
• 1762: France cedes the territory west of the Mississippi River, including present-day Missouri, to Spain as part of the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
• 1800: Spain returns the territory to France through the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso.
• 1803: The United States acquires the Louisiana Territory from France in the Louisiana Purchase, which includes present-day Missouri.
• 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition begins, with Meriwether Lewis and William Clark leading an exploration of the newly acquired territory, including parts of Missouri.
• 1812: Missouri Territory is established, with St. Louis designated as its capital. The territory's boundaries extend from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
• 1821: Missouri becomes the 24th state of the United States. It is admitted as a slave state, which sparks controversy due to the growing debate over slavery in the country.
• 1838-1839: The forced removal of the Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee Nation, from their ancestral lands in Missouri and other southeastern states to present-day Oklahoma occurs. This event is known as the Trail of Tears.
• 1849: The California Gold Rush prompts a wave of migration through Missouri, as settlers head west in search of gold and new opportunities.
• 1854: The Kansas-Nebraska Act is passed, which opens up the possibility of slavery in Kansas and Nebraska territories. This leads to violent conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, including the "Bleeding Kansas" incidents.
• 1861: Missouri becomes a battleground during the American Civil War. The state remains in the Union, but there are divided loyalties among its residents, resulting in internal conflicts and guerrilla warfare.
• 1875: St. Louis hosts the first World's Fair held in the United States, known as the St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall.
• 1896: The U.S. Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson established the "separate but equal" doctrine, allowing racial segregation. This ruling has a significant impact on the state, including St. Louis.
• 1904: St. Louis hosts the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.
• 1945: The United Nations Charter is signed in San Francisco, with Missouri Senator Harry S. Truman playing a prominent role in the negotiations. Truman later becomes the 33rd President of the United States.
• 1965: The Gateway Arch, a symbol of St. Louis and the nation's westward expansion, is completed.

Today, Missouri is known for its diverse industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and services. It is also recognized for its natural beauty, with attractions such as the Ozark Mountains, the Mississippi River, and the Mark Twain National Forest.