The Best Baseball Town in America
On January 18, 2015, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig declared St. Louis the “Best Baseball Town” in America.
Famous Poet Visits Hometown
On January 16, 1933, T.S. Eliot, the noted poet born in St. Louis, visited his hometown for the first time in 19 years.
Dizzy Dean Signed with the Cardinals
On January 14, 1932, the Cardinals signed 19-year-old Dizzy Dean to his first contract.
School Newspaper Worried about First Amendment Right
On January 13, 1988, the Supreme Court decided that school newspapers don’t have the same First Amendment protections as other news media. The case resulted from an offensive student newspaper that the Hazelwood faculty had censored.
First Flight of Ozark Air Lines
On January 10, 1945, Ozark Air Lines began service around Missouri. The first scheduled flights for Ozark Air Lines shuttled passengers between Springfield and St. Louis, intending to connect underserved communities in the Ozarks. Unfortunately, the first iteration of the airline was short-lived due to political and logistical issues and shuttered two years after launching.
Purina Company was Founded
On January 8, 1894, Ralston Purina is founded as the Robinson-Danforth Commission Company. William Danforth opened a small feed store near the St. Louis riverfront in 1894; the company became Ralston Purina in 1902.
Hot Air Balloon Adventure
On December 31, 1997, Steve Fossett took off in a hot air balloon from Busch Stadium on this day. The trip ended a few days later in Russia, establishing a new distance record.
Lecture from Ralph Waldo Emerson
On December 30, 1858, Ralph Waldo Emerson was warmly welcomed on a cold night in St. Louis. He was giving a lecture on “The Anglo-Saxon.”
Freezing Temperatures in St. Louis
On December 24, 1872, a 20˚ below zero temperature was recorded for St. Louis.
December 23, 1929 is the Birthday of Dick Weber
December 23, 1929, is the birthday of bowling legend Dick Weber. Weber moved to Florissant in 1955 when St. Louis was the epicenter of bowling competitions, and he joined the famous Budweiser bowling team. Along with Don Carter, Weber was a star in a city of sports stars in the late ’50s and early ’60s. He won Bowler of the Year honors in 1961, 1963, and 1965 while also racking up 26 Pro Bowling Association tournament titles, as bowling became a widely watched spectator sport in person and on television.