Final answer:
Missouri last voted for a Democrat in the 1996 presidential election, choosing Bill Clinton. Since 2000, it has consistently voted Republican in presidential races. The state's history is marked by milestones like the Missouri Compromise and the evolution of political parties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The last time Missouri voted for a presidential candidate from a different party than its recent trend was in 1996 when the state voters chose the Democrat Bill Clinton over his Republican opponent. Since 2000, Missouri has consistently voted for the Republican candidate in presidential elections, turning it into a reliably red state. However, the history of Missouri's political alignment has been marked by significant moments such as the Missouri Compromise, an agreement that admitted it as a slave state while maintaining a sectional balance in the Union. The state's political landscape has evolved over the years, reflecting broader national trends like the rise of the Republican Party and shifting societal views on issues like slavery.