On This Day

Missouri Compromise passes, allowing Missouri to join the United States despite slavery still being legal there.

The history of Missouri begins with settlement of the region by indigenous people during the Paleo-Indian period beginning in about 12,000 BC.

The history of Missouri begins with settlement of the region by indigenous people during the Paleo-Indian period beginning in about 12,000 BC. Subsequent periods of native life emerged until the 17th century. New France set up small settlements, and in 1803, Napoleonic France sold the area to the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Statehood for Missouri came following the Missouri Compromise in 1820 that allowed slavery. Settlement was rapid after 1820, aided by a network of rivers navigable by steamboats, centered in the City of St. Louis. It attracted European immigrants, especially Germans; the business community had a large Yankee element as well. The Civil War saw numerous small battles and control by the Union.

Historical Significance

The history of Missouri begins with settlement of the region by indigenous people during the Paleo-Indian period beginning in about 12,000 BC.

Events Before

  1. British colonial officer Stamford Raffles lands in Singapore

    British colonial officer Stamford Raffles lands in Singapore

  2. Stamford Raffles founds Singapore as a British trading post

    Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles (5 July 1781 – 5 July 1826) was a British colonial official who served as the governor of the Dutch East Indies between 1811 and 1816 and lieutenant-governor of…

  3. Godert van der Capellen, becomes Governor-General of Dutch East Indies

    Godert Alexander Gerard Philip, Baron van der Capellen (Utrecht, 15 December 1778 – De Bilt, 10 April 1848) was a Dutch statesman.

  4. The Adams–Onís Treaty between Spain and the United States is signed, ceding Florida to the US and defining the boundary

    The Adams–Onís Treaty between Spain and the United States is signed, ceding Florida to the US and defining the boundary between the US and New Spain

  5. Territory of Arkansas organized

    The Arkansas Territory was a territory of the United States from July 4, 1819, to June 15, 1836, when the final extent of Arkansas Territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Arkansas.

Events After

  1. Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero agree to the Plan of Iguala, stating that Mexico will become a constitutional m

    Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero agree to the Plan of Iguala, stating that Mexico will become a constitutional monarchy, Roman Catholicism the official religion, and both Peninsulares and Creoles will enjoy equal political and social rights

  2. King of Sennar, Badi VII, surrenders his throne and realm to General Ismail Pasha of the Ottoman Empire, bringing the 30

    King of Sennar, Badi VII, surrenders his throne and realm to General Ismail Pasha of the Ottoman Empire, bringing the 300-year-old Sudanese kingdom to an end

  3. Russian Antarctic expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen returns to Kronstadt after being the first to cir

    Russian Antarctic expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen returns to Kronstadt after being the first to circumnavigate Antarctica

  4. Act of Independence of Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua declare their indepen

    Act of Independence of Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua declare their independence from the Spanish Empire

  5. Fall of Tripolitsa: Greek forces massacre 6,000 to 15,000 Muslim and Jewish civilians during the Greek War of Independen

    Fall of Tripolitsa: Greek forces massacre 6,000 to 15,000 Muslim and Jewish civilians during the Greek War of Independence

More from the 1820s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 3, 1820?
The history of Missouri begins with settlement of the region by indigenous people during the Paleo-Indian period beginning in about 12,000 BC. Subsequent periods of native life emerged until the 17th century. New France set up small settlements, and in 1803, Napoleonic France sold the area to the U.S.
Why is Missouri Compromise passes, allowing Missouri to join the United States despi... significant?
The history of Missouri begins with settlement of the region by indigenous people during the Paleo-Indian period beginning in about 12,000 BC.

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