1. In 1861, Kansas Governor Charles Robinson gave his inaugural address, becoming the first Republican governor of the state. Robinson was a strong supporter of abolishing slavery and played a key role in Kansas' shift towards free statehood.

2. In 1873, residents of Liberal, Kansas celebrated the opening of their first public school, a one-room building which served as both a school and community center. Liberal's dedication to education and civic progress would eventually lead to its nickname, the "Hub of the High Plains."

3. In 1937, infamous bank robber and kidnapper Alvin "Creepy" Karpis was captured in New Orleans after being on the FBI's Most Wanted list for over a year. Karpis and his gang had committed a string of violent crimes across several states, including Kansas.

4. In 1968, the University of Kansas hosted a speech by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. just months before his assassination. King's visit was met with protests and controversy, but he received a standing ovation after his speech at the university's Allen Fieldhouse.

5. In 2017, a massive ice storm hit Kansas, causing widespread power outages and damaging trees, buildings, and roads. The storm, which also affected several other states, left thousands of Kansans without power for several days and led to significant cleanup efforts across the state.