1. On January 3, 1956, a massive blizzard hit Kansas, causing snow drifts up to 16 feet high and shutting down highways, trains, and airports. The storm lasted for several days, creating a state of emergency and leaving many stranded without power.

2. In 1861, Kansas officially became the 34th state in the United States on January 3. This followed a long and bloody conflict over whether Kansas would allow slavery or not, known as "Bleeding Kansas".

3. On January 3, 1885, the Kansas State Capitol Building was completed and officially dedicated. This building, located in Topeka, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the seat of government for the state of Kansas.

4. In 1983, the Garden City Community College football team won the National Junior College Athletic Association championship game on January 3. This victory was a historic moment for the college and the first time a Kansas team had won the national title in football.

5. On January 3, 1911, the first official flight test of a United States military aircraft took place in Fort Riley, Kansas. The test was conducted by Captain Benjamin Foulois, who later gained fame as a pioneer aviator and served as the chief of the U.S. Army Air Corps. This marked a major milestone in the history of aviation and military technology.