1. Kansas Became a State: March 5, 1861, marked the day when Kansas officially became the 34th state of the United States of America. After a long and tumultuous period of territorial politics and conflicts over slavery, Kansas was finally able to join the Union as a free state, a victory for the abolitionist movement.

2. Presidential Candidate Visited: On March 5, 2008, Barack Obama, then a U.S. Senator from Illinois and a candidate for the presidency, made a campaign stop in Wichita, Kansas. Addressing a crowd of thousands at the Century II Convention Center, Obama spoke about his vision for America and took questions from the audience.

3. Haunted Attraction Fire: On March 5, 2017, a devastating fire ripped through the Haunted Castle and Forest of Fear attraction in Kansas City, Kansas. The fire, which was caused by an electrical malfunction in one of the buildings, destroyed much of the attraction and caused an estimated $2 million in damages.

4. Famous General's Visit: On March 5, 1885, General William T. Sherman made a visit to Kansas, stopping in several cities including Topeka and Lawrence. Sherman, who was known for his role as a Union Army general during the American Civil War, also served as the 8th Commanding General of the U.S. Army from 1869 to 1883.

5. Record-Breaking Snowfall: On March 5, 1960, a massive blizzard struck western Kansas, dumping a record-breaking 36 inches of snow on the town of Goodland. The storm caused widespread travel disruptions and power outages, and was also responsible for several fatalities. To this day, it remains one of the most significant snow events in Kansas history.