1. The Famous Brown vs Board of Education Case: December 16, 1952 was a landmark day in Kansas history as it marked the day when the state supreme court took up the case of Brown vs Board of Education. This case would eventually go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional on May 17, 1954.

2. Dwight D. Eisenhower Birthplace: December 16, 1890 was the day President Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas. However, Eisenhower spent much of his childhood in Abilene, Kansas, and it is now home to his presidential library and museum.

3. The First Kansas State Capitol: On December 16, 1866, the first Kansas State Capitol building in Topeka was destroyed by fire. The incident prompted the construction of a new, stronger capitol building, which still stands today.

4. Kansas Becomes a State: December 16, 1861, marked the day that Kansas officially became the 34th state in the United States. This came after years of bloody conflict over the issue of slavery, which had prevented Kansas from entering the Union earlier.

5. The Great Bend Tornado: On December 16, 2000, a devastating F4 tornado ripped through the town of Great Bend, Kansas, leaving behind a trail of destruction and claiming one life. The tornado was unusual for occurring so late in the year and being the furthest west tornado on record to occur in December.