1. Missouri was officially admitted as a state on August 10, 1821, but on August 28 of that same year, the first Missouri General Assembly convened in St. Louis, laying the foundation for the state's legislative history.

2. On August 28, 1939, the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis was officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The 630-foot-tall arch has since become a symbol of not only the city, but of the United States as a whole.

3. On August 28, 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Though King himself was not in Missouri, residents of the state undoubtedly heard his powerful words and were moved by his message.

4. The Missouri State Fair, which is held annually in Sedalia, typically begins on the second Thursday of August and runs for 11 days. This means that August 28 often falls right in the middle of the fair, which is known for its concerts, carnival rides, livestock competitions, and more.

5. August 28, 1862, marked the beginning of the Battle of Papillon, which was part of the larger Civil War Battle of Independence. Union forces, led by General James Totten, fought and defeated Confederate troops in what would become one of the most significant battles of the war in Missouri.