Here are five interesting facts about August 9 in Kansas history:

1. In 1930, a severe drought struck Kansas, known as the Dust Bowl. The fall of rain decreased by one-third, and the lack of moisture led to failed crops and dust storms, causing widespread damage to crops and livestock from August 9 and the following years until 1939.

2. On August 9, 1956, the USS Wichita was launched at the Naval Shipyards in Boston. The ship was named after the city of Wichita, Kansas, and was decommissioned in 1970 after serving in several conflicts, including the Vietnam War.

3. In 1966, the Kansas State Fair opened its gates to the public on August 9, at Hutchinson. The fair, which is one of the most significant events in Kansas, attracts millions of visitors every year and features a variety of attractions, such as carnival rides, concerts, and agricultural exhibits.

4. August 9, 1980, marked the birth of a famous actor and comedian, Tyson Ritter, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, but grew up in Stillwell, Kansas. Ritter is best known for his role as the lead vocalist of the rock band, The All-American Rejects, and his appearances in TV shows and movies, including Parenthood and The House Bunny.

5. In 2014, a three-story-tall, 300-foot-long mural featuring a massive rainbow appeared on the side of a building near the intersection of Douglas and Hillside in Wichita. The mural was painted by a local artist, Tony Ngo, and was intended to raise awareness for LGBT rights after the passage of a religious freedom bill that was criticized as discriminatory.