1. On July 24, 1848, the first Missouri State Fair was held in Boonville. The fair has since become an annual tradition and one of the oldest in the country.

2. In 1861, the first major battle of the Civil War west of the Mississippi River occurred in Missouri. The Battle of Wilson's Creek, fought on August 10, was preceded on July 24 by the skirmish at Dug Springs, both of which were Confederate victories.

3. On July 24, 1926, Babe Ruth hit his 457th home run, breaking the all-time record previously held by Roger Connor. The homer came at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis during a game against the St. Louis Browns.

4. In 1967, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was completed, and on July 24 of that year, it was dedicated by Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. The arch stands 630 feet tall and is the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere.

5. On July 24, 1983, the Kansas City Royals hosted the first ever "Peanut-Free Day" at a Major League Baseball game. The event was designed to allow those with peanut allergies to attend a game without fear of exposure.