1. In 1817, Missouri was officially declared a territory by President James Monroe. This paved the way for Missouri to eventually become a state in 1821.

2. The historic Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) railroad was established on July 25, 1865. It connected Missouri to Kansas, Texas, and other western states and played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States.

3. The infamous outlaw Jesse James was born in Kearney, Missouri on July 25, 1847. He became a notorious figure in American folklore and is often romanticized as a rebellious, Robin Hood-like figure.

4. Missouri's first state park, which is now known as Elephant Rocks State Park, was established on July 25, 1967. It is a unique geological site featuring giant granite boulders that resemble elephants.

5. In 2003, Governor Bob Holden signed a bill officially designating the Missouri mule as the official state animal. The mule has played a critical role in Missouri's agricultural history and culture.