1. Missouri Statehood: On April 23, 1820, Missouri became a state, joining the United States as the 24th state. The Missouri Compromise had been passed the previous year, allowing Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state.

2. The Premiere of Ragtime: The musical Ragtime, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, premiered at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis on April 23, 1998. The show went on to win four Tony Awards, including Best Original Score.

3. Pioneering Aviatrix: On April 23, 1912, Ada Rogerson became the first woman to fly solo in Missouri. She flew a Wright biplane at an air show in Jefferson City, thrilling the crowds with her acrobatic maneuvers.

4. Civil War Battle: During the Civil War, on April 23, 1862, Union forces led by General Samuel R. Curtis defeated a Confederate army under General Earl Van Dorn at the Battle of Old River Lake, in southeastern Missouri.

5. Trail of Tears: On April 23, 1838, a detachment of Cherokee Indians led by Chief John Ross left Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the forced journey westward to Indian Territory in what came to be known as the Trail of Tears. Many Cherokee died en route, and the journey became a symbol of the forced relocation of Native Americans.