Kansas is a beautiful state in the US, although factors such as its frequent tornadoes may scare you a little.The state is named after a Native American tribe and celebrates its rich cultural history. Being the 34th state to join the Union, Kansas is said to have played a pivotal role in the Civil War.Even though both Europeans and native miners have been digging at the land in search of gold, the real gold that the state has provided its population with is wheat. Not only does the Sumner County produce enough wheat to feed the entire state, but also to be termed as the wheat capital of the world.Kansas is also known for having given women full voting rights even before the 19th amendment was passed. The state is known for its progressive ideas, as it joined the Union and also stepped up as one of the first to allow voting rights to Black men. The case through which the Supreme Court decided to end segregation and discrimination in public educational institutions was also started in the state of Kansas. Hence, we can say that the state not only has a rich history but also a legacy of liberal views. Keep reading for more interesting facts about Kansas and its history!If you enjoy reading this article, why not also check out Indiana history facts and Idaho history facts here at Kidadl!Fun Facts About Kansas’ HistoryLike all other states of the United States of America, even Kansas has a rich history.The Kansas that we see today is a product of many settlements and battles. Nicknamed the sunflower state, this state is known as one of the flattest in the country. The geographers of the state are known to have grown so frustrated with trying to prove that this state was flat that they made realistic models of the state and of a pancake in order to prove that the landscape was in fact flat. The history of this state starts with the natives of the land. The state is named after the native Kansa people who inhabited the land in large numbers when the first explorer arrived here. The name ‘Kansas’ literally translates to people of the south wind and is derived from the native ‘Kansa’ or ‘Kaws’ tribe. The history of the state is speckled with many such Native American tribes that live in these prairies in large numbers.One of the most interesting facts is that in spite of the fact that it would be logical for Kansas City to be the capital of the Kansas state, it is not. The capital of the state is Topeka, while the largest city is Wichita.There are many facts about the state that are quite interesting. Tornadoes are so common in the land that the state is known as the Tornado Alley. In fact, there was one such tornado that hit the state which blew off the feathers from a chicken’s body. The state is also famous for the Great Plains that cover a large section in the west of Kansas.The state motto of Kansas is ’ Ad astra per aspera’, which means ’to the stars through difficulties.‘The Sumner County in Kansas is known as the Wheat Capital of the world.Trade along the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails has always been an important economic activity, and hence, Fort Riley was established close to the Kansas river in order to ensure its smooth flow.One of the sad parts of the history of the state is that it was hit by a massive drought in the 1930s.Facts About Kansas’ StatehoodThe state history would be incomplete without an account of how it chose to be a free state and abolish slavery.The Kansas territory was outlined with the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Following this act, the northern and southern states started to argue whether Kansas would allow slavery or not. Bleeding Kansas is one of the most important events in the state’s history since it was a pivotal part of the route that the Civil War took eventually. It was in Kansas that many Union army members and border ruffians lost their lives on account of separate views in terms of slavery. It was in the year 1860 that the state finally outlawed slavery, and in the following year, the state admitted itself as the 34th Union state.Facts About Battles Fought In KansasBleeding Kansas was one of the most notable events that took place in Kansas, wherein many men lost their lives.Even though the state was such an important part of the Civil Rights Movement, not a lot of battles of the Civil War were fought here. The only few battles that come to mind when thinking of Kansas acting as a battleground would be the Battle of Baxter Springs and the Battle of Marais des Cygnes.Even though the state did not see many battles on its own land, the Kansas state sent many thousands of its men for the cause of the Civil War over the years.Facts About The First Settlers In KansasKansas was home to Native American tribes for many centuries before the first few Europeans started arriving.The first European to arrive at the state was a Spanish explorer named Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, however, it was the French explorers who made settlements. These Europeans visited the state and became new settlers in order to gain fur from the people of the state. The state of Kansas always had a booming population of buffaloes, which yielded nice products for the French.The state later became a part of the United States after the Louisiana Purchase. Through this transaction, the Union bought the state from France in the year 1804.Did You Know…The world’s first Pizza Hut was opened in Wichita, Kansas.The country’s first female mayor, Susanna Madora Salter, was elected in Argonia, Kansas, in the year 1887.The windiest city in the US is none other than Dodge city.Kansas is speculated to have been inhabited since around 12,000 years ago!The highest point of the state is Mount Sunflower, although that is not where the nickname comes from!Kansas is known as the sunflower state because of the wild sunflowers that grow here.The Dodge city was infamous for its lawlessness during its early days.The 34th US President, Dwight E. Eisenhower, hailed from Kansas.The major cities include Topeka, Kansas City, and Wichita.Kansas is known for its sunflowers, wheat, and tornadoes.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 81 Kansas history facts: things to know about the sunflower state then why not take a look at Oklahoma history facts, or Ohio history facts.
Kansas is a beautiful state in the US, although factors such as its frequent tornadoes may scare you a little.
