Kansas Day

Kansas Day History

Kansas Day is dedicated to the celebration of the state of Kansas. It is dedicated to the celebration of the Sunflower State's rich historical heritage, its enduring traditions, and the significant role it has played within the larger panorama of American history. The occasion offers Kansans an opportunity to reflect on their past and appreciate their unique journey through time.

Kansas Day's history dates back to 1877 when it was first observed by a group of school students in Paola, a small town in Miami County. The concept rapidly took root and spread across various private and public institutions, eventually leading to its broad acceptance as a state holiday. From its inception, Kansas Day serves as a symbol of the Kansas spirit, embodying the state's legacy as the Free State, its contribution to the civil rights movement, and its deep agricultural roots.

Kansas Day is marked with numerous engaging activities across the state. Educational institutions often present lessons and projects pertinent to Kansas history, while libraries, museums, and historical societies host a multitude of events that delve into the state's past and culture. Kansas Day culminates on the 29th of January each year, stirring a sense of camaraderie and pride among Kansans as they celebrate their home state's extraordinary journey through time.

Top 10 Facts for Kansas Day in 2026

• The 2026 observance marks the 165th anniversary of the state’s admission to the Union as the 34th star on the American flag.
• The holiday’s unique origin began in 1877 in a small schoolhouse in Paola, where a group of schoolchildren felt a surge of patriotism after studying the Battle of New Orleans and decided to dedicate an afternoon to studying their own state's history instead.
• One of the most dramatic events in the statehouse’s history is the Legislative War of 1893, an armed standoff between rival political parties that involved the use of a sledgehammer to break into the House chamber and the deployment of a Gatling gun outside the capitol building.
• The official state song, Home on the Range, was originally written as a poem titled My Western Home by a pioneer doctor in 1872 to describe the serene beauty of the plains.
• Though he was a Canadian native, James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, established the first college basketball program in the state and is buried in Lawrence.
• The legendary Yellow Brick Road from the classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was inspired by the dusty cattle trails that crisscrossed the region during the late 19th century.
• The fictional town of Smallville, the childhood home of the iconic superhero Superman, is officially situated in the rural landscape of this state, which reflects its real-world reputation for courage and resilience.
• The state motto, Ad Astra per Aspera, translates from Latin to mean to the stars through difficulties and serves as a tribute to the pioneers' persistence through the "Bleeding Kansas" era and the Civil War.
• Local celebrations often involve the Sunflower Showdown, a high-stakes college basketball rivalry game between the state's two major universities that frequently takes place around the end of January.
• Kansas Day traditions in schools often include the preparation of pioneer-style meals and the baking of specialized sunflower cakes to honor the state's floral emblem.

In the News and Trending for Kansas Day

Top things to do for Kansas Day

• Visit the Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas. It is one of the U.S's oldest history museums and is home to more than 50 historic and re-created buildings.
• Visit the Strataca Underground Salt Museum Museum in Hutchinson, Kansas. It is a popular museum built within one of the world's largest deposits of rock salt. It lets visitors explore tunnels and travel 650 feet underground.
• Watch a movie representative of Kansas and its notable figures. Here are our suggestions:
  Amelia (2009)
  The Wizard of Oz (1939)
  The Texans (1938)