1. Missouri became the 24th state on May 31, 1821. Prior to that, it was part of the Missouri Territory, which was created in 1812.

2. On May 31, 1850, a major tornado struck St. Louis, causing significant damage and killing 16 people. It was estimated to be an F4 on the Fujita scale.

3. Jack Buck, the legendary broadcaster for the St. Louis Cardinals, was born on May 31, 1924. Buck called Cardinals' games for over 50 years and was known for his catchphrases, such as "That's a winner!"

4. On May 31, 1913, the World's First Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington. The idea was later adopted by other states and eventually became a national holiday.

5. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which is a famous landmark and symbol of Missouri, was completed on May 31, 1965. The arch stands at 630 feet and is the tallest man-made monument in the United States.