During the mid-19th century, Missouri was
the starting point for wagons heading to California and Oregon (hence Missouri''s
other nickname, "Gateway to the West"). The pony express made stops
here, and outlaw Jesse James was born in Kearney and died in St. Joseph. Wherever
it came from, Missouri''s trademark incredulity was summed up best by Congressman
Willard Vandiver in 1899 when he said that pretty speeches didn''t mean much
to him, "I''m from Missouri, and you''ve got to show me."
Now that you''re moving to Missouri, there are
a couple facts you''ll want to keep in mind, so you can correct anyone who
tries to show you otherwise:
- Missouri''s population is 5,595,211. The state capital is Jefferson City,
but its largest city is Kansas City.
- Both the ice cream cone and iced tea were invented during the hot summer
of 1904 in Missouri, at the St. Louis World''s Fair.
- Kansas City, Missouri has more fountains than any other city on earth
but Rome.