1. On October 8, 1867, Fort Hays was established in present-day Hays, Kansas by the U.S. Army to protect railroad construction crews from Native American attacks.

2. In 1919, the first homecoming celebration was held at the University of Kansas in Lawrence on October 8. The tradition continues to this day, with thousands of alumni returning to campus each year for the festivities.

3. The deadliest tornado in Kansas history struck on October 8, 1978, killing 16 people in the town of Udall and causing extensive damage throughout the area. The tornado was rated as an F4 on the Fujita scale.

4. On October 8, 1984, the Kansas City Royals defeated the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. The Royals would go on to win the series and eventually claim their first World Series championship.

5. Kansas native Bob Dole, who served as both a U.S. Senator and the Republican Party's nominee for President, was born on October 8, 1923 in the town of Russell. Dole went on to serve in Congress for 36 years and was a strong advocate for veterans and people with disabilities.