Early St. Louis

The Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis is one of America’s most important historic sites. It was here that slave Dred Scott and his wife, Harriett, sued for their freedom in 1847. Scott won his case in St. Louis, but remained a slave for 10 years as appeals eventually took the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court ruled Scott was not a citizen and could not sue, and the outcome helped move the country toward the Civil War. Scott was freed by a new owner after the Court decision, but died in 1858. The Old Courthouse features an exhibition on this pivotal event, called “Dred Scott: A Legacy of Courage.” Re-creations of the trial are conducted throughout the year at the Old Courthouse, and Scott’s grave can be visited at Calvary Cemetery.

Josephine Baker (3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress who came to be known in various circles as the "Black Pearl," "Bronze Venus" and even the "Creole Goddess". Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine Baker became a citizen of France in 1937. She was fluent in both English and French.

Fredd Foxx

Jon Elroy Sanford[1] (December 9, 1922 – October 11, 1991), known professionally as Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best remembered for his explicit comedy records and his starring role on the 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son.[2]

Birth Name - Jon Elroy Sanford[1]
Born - December 9, 1922[1]
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died - October 11, 1991 (aged 68)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A
Occupation - Stand-up, television actor

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou (i/ˈmaɪ.ə ˈændʒəloʊ/;[1][2] born Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was an American author, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and was credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.[3] Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.

Born - Marguerite Annie Johnson
April 4, 1928
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died - May 28, 2014 (aged 86)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation - Author, poet, civil rights activist​

Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958), Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive, with lyrics focusing on teen life and consumerism and utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music.[1]
Born into a middle-class African-American family in St. Louis, Missouri, Berry had an interest in music from an early age and gave his first public performance at Sumner High School. 

Birth Name - Charles Edward Anderson Berry
Born - October 18, 1926 (age 89)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Origin - St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
GenresRock and roll
Occupation(s) - Musician, singer, songwriter
"St. Louis African American History." Explore St. Louis. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.