1. In 1859, the Kansas Territorial Legislature was in session on December 24th. They passed several important acts including one to set up the state's land office, and a bill for the Board of Agriculture.

2. The first recorded Christmas celebration in Kansas was in 1822 by fur traders in the northeast corner of the state. Other early settlers and missionaries likely had their own celebrations as well.

3. In 1923, the "Kansas City Star" published an editorial on December 24th advocating for the establishment of a state university in the western part of the state. This would later become what is now known as Fort Hays State University.

4. On December 24, 1966, the first successful ascent of Mount Vinson in Antarctica was completed by a team including a Kansas native, Nicholas Clinch.

5. In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reached Newton, Kansas on December 24th, opening up new opportunities for the state's economy and transportation infrastructure.