National Kansas Day, celebrated annually on January 29th, marks the anniversary of the day Kansas was admitted into the Union as the 34th state in 1861.
It’s a day when Kansans, and history enthusiasts alike, come together to commemorate the rich history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage of the Sunflower State.
From school activities to community celebrations, Kansas Day is an opportunity to honor the state’s contributions to the country, recognize its vibrant past, and inspire future generations.
In this post, we’ll dive into the history of National Kansas Day, explore the symbols of Kansas, share ideas for celebrating, and provide educational activities for kids. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, student, or just someone interested in Kansas history, this guide offers something for everyone.
A Brief History of National Kansas Day
Kansas Day was first celebrated in 1877, and since then, it has become a yearly tradition for many Kansans. The day recognizes the moment when Kansas became a free state during a tumultuous period in American history, just before the outbreak of the Civil War. It also pays homage to the resilience and determination of Kansas settlers and its role in shaping the nation.
Kansas’s journey to statehood was not easy. The state’s history is deeply intertwined with the issue of slavery, with tensions running high between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed settlers in Kansas to decide whether the state would be free or slave-holding, sparking violent confrontations known as “Bleeding Kansas.” After years of conflict, Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state on January 29, 1861.
Kansas Day was born out of a desire to educate young Kansans about their state’s significant place in American history. Over time, the celebrations have evolved, but the core of the day remains the same: to inspire pride in Kansas’s heritage and remind citizens of its hard-fought path to freedom.
Kansas State Symbols: A Reflection of Its Heritage
Like all states, Kansas has a collection of state symbols that represent its identity and natural beauty. These symbols are often a focal point of Kansas Day celebrations and are essential for teaching children about the state’s heritage.
Here are some key Kansas state symbols:
- State Flower: Sunflower. This bright and resilient flower symbolizes the state’s pioneering spirit and is featured prominently in Kansas’s landscape.
- State Bird: Western Meadowlark. Known for its cheerful song, the Western Meadowlark is a common sight across Kansas’s prairies.
- State Animal: American Buffalo (Bison). Once roaming the plains in vast numbers, the buffalo remains a powerful symbol of the American West.
- State Tree: Cottonwood. This hardy tree, found throughout the state, represents strength and endurance.
- State Reptile: Ornate Box Turtle. Native to Kansas, this small and colorful turtle is a beloved part of the state’s wildlife.
- State Amphibian: Barred Tiger Salamander. A unique and resilient creature, the Barred Tiger Salamander thrives in Kansas’s wetlands.
- State Insect: Honeybee. Essential to Kansas’s agriculture, the honeybee plays a vital role in pollinating crops across the state.
- State Motto: “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (To the stars through difficulties). This motto reflects Kansas’s long and challenging road to statehood, symbolizing the spirit of perseverance.
- State Flag: The Kansas state flag features the state seal, which shows symbols of Kansas’s pioneer heritage, agriculture, and the path to the stars, along with a sunflower.
These symbols not only represent the state’s natural beauty but also serve as an educational tool, helping people learn more about Kansas’s environment and culture.
Kansas Day Celebrations and Traditions
Kansas Day is celebrated in schools, libraries, museums, and communities throughout the state. Although the day is not a federal holiday, it holds special significance for Kansans and has inspired various traditions over the years.
School Celebrations
Kansas Day is an integral part of the school calendar across the state. Teachers often use this day to engage students in Kansas-themed lessons, projects, and activities. Some popular school-based activities include:
- Kansas Day Assemblies: Schools may host assemblies where students perform skits, sing songs about Kansas, and read historical facts about the state’s journey to statehood.
- State Symbols Art Projects: Students create artwork inspired by Kansas state symbols such as sunflowers, buffalo, or the state flag.
- Kansas History Lessons: Teachers incorporate lessons on Kansas’s role in the Civil War, the “Bleeding Kansas” conflicts, and the state’s early settlers.
- Field Trips: Many schools organize field trips to local historical sites, such as the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, where students can immerse themselves in the state’s past.
Community and Cultural Celebrations
While Kansas Day is primarily a school-focused event, communities throughout the state also participate in festivities. Some local traditions include:
- Parades: Some towns host Kansas Day parades, featuring floats decorated with Kansas symbols, historical reenactors, and marching bands.
- Historical Reenactments: Kansas is home to several living history museums, where visitors can watch reenactments of life on the Kansas frontier or witness reenactments of key moments in the state’s history.
- Cultural Exhibits: Museums and libraries often set up special Kansas Day exhibits that showcase artifacts, documents, and stories from the state’s history. These exhibits help educate the public about Kansas’s cultural heritage.
Modern-Day Celebrations
In recent years, Kansas Day has extended beyond traditional celebrations to include modern activities that engage communities in new ways:
- Social Media Campaigns: Many organizations and residents take to social media to share their love for Kansas by posting facts, trivia, and photos related to the state’s history and culture, using hashtags like #KansasDay.
- Local Food Celebrations: Some restaurants and communities celebrate by featuring Kansas-inspired dishes, such as Kansas-style barbecue or recipes that incorporate local crops like wheat and corn.
Fun and Educational Activities for National Kansas Day
Kansas Day offers a fantastic opportunity to introduce children to the state’s rich history and traditions. Whether at school or home, these activities can help kids learn about Kansas while having fun.
1. Create a Kansas State Symbols Collage
Using images of Kansas’s state symbols—such as the sunflower, buffalo, cottonwood tree, and Western Meadowlark—children can create a collage that represents the state’s natural beauty. This hands-on project can be adapted for any age group and is a great way to teach students about state symbols.
2. Kansas Trivia Game
Host a trivia game with questions about Kansas’s history, geography, famous residents, and state symbols. Some sample questions might include:
- What is the state flower of Kansas?
- When did Kansas become a state?
- What is Kansas’s state motto?
This activity works well in both classrooms and community gatherings.
3. Pioneer Life Roleplay
To give kids a sense of what life was like for early Kansas settlers, organize a pioneer-themed roleplay or dress-up activity. Students can learn about the hardships and triumphs of settlers by pretending to be pioneers, farming the land, or facing the challenges of the prairie.
4. Kansas Day Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt where students search for information about Kansas, either in books or online. You can give them clues related to Kansas history, state symbols, or famous landmarks. This activity promotes both learning and problem-solving skills.
5. Kansas-Themed Crafts
Younger students can create Kansas-themed crafts, such as making paper sunflowers, decorating buffalo masks, or constructing miniature models of famous Kansas landmarks, like the Tallgrass Prairie or Monument Rocks.
6. Watch a Kansas Documentary
Show students a documentary or film about Kansas history, such as “The Kansas Journey” or any documentary that highlights the state’s role in the Civil War, the Dust Bowl, or its agricultural heritage.
7. Interactive Map of Kansas
Provide children with blank maps of Kansas and let them fill in major cities, rivers, and landmarks, such as the Kansas River, Wichita, and Topeka. They can color in regions based on their topography (like prairies or plains), helping them understand the geography and natural features of the state.
8. Kansas History Timeline Project
Have students work in groups to create a timeline of important events in Kansas’s history. Key moments could include Kansas becoming a state in 1861, its role in the Civil War, and the Dust Bowl. They can add drawings or printed images to make the timeline visually engaging.
9. Sunflower Seed Planting
Kansas is known as the Sunflower State, so why not let students plant sunflower seeds? This activity can teach them about Kansas’s state flower and allow them to learn how plants grow. They can take the plant home and track its growth.
10. Storytelling Session on Native American Heritage
Kansas is rich in Native American history. Organize a storytelling session where kids can learn about the cultures of the Kaw, Osage, and other Native tribes. You could invite a storyteller to share legends, or read stories aloud to help students appreciate the cultural heritage of the state.
11. Local Foods Tasting
Arrange a tasting session featuring foods that reflect Kansas’s agricultural roots, such as wheat products or sunflower seeds. Students can learn about the state’s farming industry and taste the foods grown in Kansas, making the experience memorable and delicious.
12. Kansas State Flag Art Project
Give students the opportunity to create their own versions of the Kansas state flag or learn about its symbols. They can use paints, crayons, or craft materials to replicate the flag’s sunflower, mountains, and pioneer imagery, discussing what each symbol represents.
13. Kansas in the Civil War Debate or Discussion
For older students, organize a discussion or debate on Kansas’s role in the Civil War, focusing on the period of “Bleeding Kansas” and the struggles over slavery. This can provide insight into Kansas’s historical importance and foster critical thinking.
14. Kansas Wildlife Exploration
Have children learn about the native animals of Kansas, like the American bison and prairie dogs. They can draw or make masks of these animals, or you can organize an animal research project where each student presents a fact about Kansas wildlife.
Kansas Day Fun Facts
Kansas Day wouldn’t be complete without learning some fascinating facts about the state. Here are a few fun tidbits to share with friends, family, or students:
- Kansas is known as the “Sunflower State” because wild sunflowers grow abundantly throughout the state. The sunflower also appears on the state flag.
- Famous Kansans include aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and jazz musician Charlie Parker.
- Kansas has the largest population of wild American bison in the United States, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
- The state has a rich agricultural history and is one of the nation’s top producers of wheat, earning it the nickname “The Wheat State.”
- Kansas is home to the Geographic Center of the contiguous United States, located near Lebanon, Kansas.
Conclusion: Kansas Day, A Celebration of Heritage and Hope
Kansas Day is much more than a simple celebration of the state’s admission to the Union; it’s a day to reflect on Kansas’s rich history, its contributions to American culture, and the enduring values that its residents hold dear. From the wide, open prairies to the bustling cities, Kansas is a place of both natural beauty and deep historical significance.
Whether you’re teaching children about the state’s history, enjoying a parade, or engaging in fun activities with friends and family, National Kansas Day provides an opportunity to honor the past while looking toward the future. Let this Kansas Day be a reminder of the state’s pioneering spirit, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of freedom—values that continue to define Kansas today.
