Guest Author - Beth Green

February in Midwest History

Every state has as contributed something to United States history. Here is a list of some noteworthy dates and events that occurred in February, either in the Midwest region, or by people with ties to the Midwest.

Poet Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902.

The first federal penitentiary building was completed in Leavenworth, Kansas on February 1, 1906 and federal prisoners were moved from Fort Leavenworth to the federal penitentiary.

Don Everly of the singing duo The Everly Brothers, was born in Brownie, Kentucky on February 1, 1937.

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson die in a small plane crash on February 3, 1959 after leaving Clear Lake, Iowa.

On February 3, 2002, the New England Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

The Town of Kansas, later known as Kansas City, was incorporated on February 4, 1850.

Myra Belle Shirley, later known as famous female outlaw Belle Starr, was born on February 5, 1848 in Carthage Missouri. She was murdered just 2 days shy of her 41st birthday, on February 3, 1889, in Oklahoma.

NASCAR driver Darrell Waltrip was born on February 5, 1947 in Owensboro, Kentucky.

February 8, 1963 – the Dallas Texans AFL franchise moves to Kansas City and becomes the Kansas City Chiefs.

On February 9, 1861, Tennessee votes not to secede from the Union.

Also on February 9, six years later in 1867, Nebraska becomes the 36th state of the union.

Pulitzer prize-winning newspaper editor William Allen White was born in Emporia Kansas on February 10, 1868.

America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, is born in Hardin County Kentucky on February 12, 1809.

An 800 pound meteorite fell near Amana, Iowa on February 12, 1875.

Jesse James and the James Gang commit their first bank robbery, in Liberty Missouri, on February 13, 1866. They get away with $15,000.

February 13, 1891 – Grant Wood, artist of the famed “American Gothic” painting, was born in Anamosa Iowa. He died in Iowa City, Iowa on February 12, 1942

St. Louis Missouri was founded as a trading post by French fur trader Pierre LaClede on February 15, 1764.

Actor Hugh Beaumont, best known for playing Ward Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver, was born in Lawrence, KS on February 16, 1909. Beaumont was also a director and preacher.

February 19, 1881 – Kansas becomes the first state to honor prohibition.

The University of Iowa was established on February 25, 1847.

Also on February 25, 1847, a meteorite fell in Iowa, south of Marion.

William Frederick Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill, was born on February 26, 1846 in Scott City, Iowa.

Actor William Frawley, who played Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy, was born in Burlington Iowa on February 26, 1887.