1. In 1864, the Battle of Fort Hays took place near present-day Hays, Kansas. Union soldiers successfully defended the fort against a Confederate attack.

2. The small town of WaKeeney, Kansas experienced an F4 tornado on July 5, 1993. The tornado destroyed much of the town and claimed two lives.

3. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a controversial income tax reform bill into law on July 5, 2012. The bill lowered income tax rates and eliminated income taxes for certain small businesses, but was criticized for potentially causing budget shortfalls and cuts to public services.

4. In 1935, the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Baseball League defeated the white Kansas City Blues in an exhibition game at Muehlebach Field on July 5.

5. The annual Midwest GeoBash, a large geocaching event, began on July 5, 2007 in Ottawa, Kansas. The event draws thousands of participants from around the world to hunt for hidden treasures using GPS technology.