While randomly scouring the internet for history on my home State of Kansas, I happened upon something that surprised me. I thought I knew a lot about my home State of Kansas. After all, I lived there for about thirty years! But you know how living in a state is, you're never a tourist.
Searching the article that appeared, I learned that January 29 is Kansas Day. Kansas Day is an annual celebration about patriotism and was born in 1877 in Paola, Kansas.
The story goes that a group of school children were studying history when they happened upon the realization that 62 years before this that the Battle of New Orleans took place. The celebration is one of peace, not of battle.
January 29 is also the same day that Kansas became a State in 1861, so it sounds like those students were being patriotic for this reason as well.
So they dedicated January 29 as the official Kansas Day and time is reserved for studying about the history, geography and other facts surrounding the State on that day.
To say that life was hard in Kansas in it's founding years is an understatement! There were no trees and homes were made of mud! Resources were scarce and droughts didn't help.
You've probably heard of Wyatt Earp, Batt Masterson, and other cowboy legends; their history is in Kansas. There's also a movie, "Wichita", my home town. Check out this video of our cowboy history and other interesting facts. I'm proud to be from Kansas!
If you are from Kansas and happen to be in Arizona, give me a call!
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