1. In 1945, the first atomic bomb was successfully detonated at the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range in New Mexico. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of the world and was also closely linked to Kansas as many Manhattan Project scientists had connections to the state and even uranium for the bomb was sourced from the Colorado Plateau, which intersects with Kansas at its southwestern corner.

2. On July 16, 1859, the Wyandotte Constitution was adopted in Wyandotte County, Kansas. This constitution served as the basis for Kansas' statehood on January 29, 1861, and was notable for its progressive provisions on women's rights and education.

3. Kansas City's Municipal Airport (now known as Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport) was opened on July 16, 1927. It was the first city-owned and taxpayer-funded airport in the country and played a critical role in the growth and development of the aviation industry in Kansas City and beyond.

4. In 1827, the first permanent white settlement was established in what is now Kansas when a French trader named Francois Chouteau established a trading post near the confluence of the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers. This area would later become the city of Wichita, which is now the largest city in the state.

5. On July 16, 1951, the Kansas Turnpike was officially opened to the public. This 236-mile toll road allowed for faster and more efficient travel between Kansas City and the Oklahoma border, and its construction was celebrated as a major milestone in the state's transportation infrastructure. Today, the Kansas Turnpike is a crucial route for commuters, truckers, and travelers passing through the state.