October 22, 2009

JEFFERSON CITY -- Today, Wednesday, October 21, is Missouri Day—a day set aside to commemorate Missouri’s history and to celebrate the achievements of all Missourians. During the 1900s a native Missourian named Anna Brosius Korn decided students and adults in Missouri needed to have more chances to study and appreciate the history of their state. In Korn’s own words, the day is designed to "foster a love for our state’s history and to teach rising generations of boys and girls the glories of Missouri." In March of 1915, the 48th General Assembly set aside the first Wednesday and later moved to the third Wednesday in October, as Missouri Day. Today we once again observe this day to honor our state.

Missouri’s history begins in 1673, when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were voyaging down the Missouri River and became the first Europeans to step foot on Missouri soil. This discovery led the French to establish the first permanent settlement in the Southeast’s Ste. Genevieve in the 1730’s. Ste. Genevieve was the lone settlement in the expansive Louisiana territory until St. Louis was founded in 1764.

Since the first settlement, the Show-Me State has been and will continue to play an important role in the past, present, and future of this great nation. Missouri was admitted as the 24th state in the nation in 1821 and in its 188 years of history, Missouri has served as a gateway to Western expansion, been a pivotal player in freeing slaves and given birth to many noteworthy leaders, entertainers and citizens. To date, state lawmakers have designated 21 symbols as official representations of the Show-Me State, which reflects the wide range of Missouri’s assets.

As was discovered when it was extensively explored, Missouri’s land is rich with a variety of mineral resources, including zinc and silver. The state’s early development is tied to lead mining after French settlers discovered significant deposits in the Mine La Motte and Potosi areas. Today, we are still a leading lead producer and possess one of the largest lime stone deposits in the world. Missouri also continues to be an important industrial and farming state in the Midwest region. Our location and the two great rivers that run through Missouri have helped stimulate agricultural growth, create jobs, enhance transportation, and attract businesses.

Missouri’s geographical makeup is especially unique. The nearly 70,000 square miles of Missouri landscape host more caves, more free-flowing streams and more types of wildflowers than any other state. The state also boasts 81 state parks, 5,475 caves, 14 major lakes and more than 30 rivers and creeks.

The diversity is also seen in the state’s population. From the anchor cities of Kansas City and St. Louis, to the quaint charm of the small rural towns in between, Missouri is home to a range of people with Native American, Amish, German, French, English, Asian, African and Hispanic ethnicities. And among all the citizens from all walks of life are famous people who also call Missouri home, such as Walt Disney, Mark Twain, George Washington Carver, and the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman.

There’s no doubt that our state deserves the nickname "the Show-Me State." Missouri’s history can show you adventures of pioneers, discoveries of brave explorers and the trials of political bloodshed. Missouri’s present can show you how far the nation’s 24th state has evolved, with a thriving state government, booming industries, an abundance of tourist attractions and diverse communities. And Missouri’s future can show you the glowing potential for the state to develop, flourish, and become even greater.

I encourage Missourians of all ages to take some time this Missouri Day to honor our state’s history and celebrate the achievements of those who had roots in Missouri. By studying, celebrating, and remembering the colorful history of our great state, we can continue working to make tomorrow better than today.

Contact Me

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write to me at Jason Crowell; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email me at: jcrowell@senate.mo.gov or visit me on the web at http://www.senate.mo.gov/crowell.