History of Kansas in Timeline
Kansas is a Midwestern state in the United States, bordered by Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Named after the Kansas River and the Kansa people, its capital is Topeka, and its most populous city is Wichita. The Kansas City metropolitan area, however, is the largest urban area, spanning both Kansas and Missouri.
1900: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Published
In 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, featuring Dorothy Gale from Kansas, was published.
1900: Carrie Nation's first saloon vandalism
In 1900, anti-saloon activist Carrie Nation vandalized her first saloon in Kiowa, Kansas.
1901: Birthplace of Pentecostalism
In 1901, Topeka, Kansas was the site of Charles Fox Parham's Bethel Bible College, where glossolalia was first claimed as the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
1903: Patee Theater opens
In 1903, the Patee Theater, the first film theater in Kansas, opened in Lawrence.
February 13, 1905: All-time lowest temperature recorded
On February 13, 1905, the all-time lowest temperature in Kansas was recorded near Lebanon in Smith County, reaching −40 °F (−40 °C).
May 22, 1907: Plaza Cinema Opens
On May 22, 1907, the Plaza Cinema in Ottawa, Kansas, opened and is the oldest operating cinema in the world.
1910: Workers' compensation instituted
In 1910, Kansas was the first state to institute a system of workers' compensation.
1911: Securities industry regulated
In 1911, Kansas was the first state to regulate the securities industry.
1912: Women's suffrage permitted
In 1912, Kansas permitted women's suffrage, almost a decade before the federal constitution was amended to require it.
1913: Vehicle registration required in Kansas
In 1913, Kansas first required its residents to register their vehicles and display license plates.
1920: 19th Amendment ratified
In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, guaranteeing suffrage in all states.
1922: Ella Uphay Mowry runs for Governor
In 1922, Ella Uphay Mowry became the first female gubernatorial candidate in Kansas.
1922: KU wins retroactively awarded national championship
In 1922, the Kansas Jayhawks were retroactively awarded a national championship by the Helms Foundation in men's basketball.
1923: KU wins retroactively awarded national championship
In 1923, the Kansas Jayhawks were retroactively awarded a national championship by the Helms Foundation in men's basketball.
1923: Mount St. Scholastica College
Mount St. Scholastica College was founded in Atchison, later merging with St. Benedict's College to form Benedictine College in 1923.
1926: The Jayhawk Theatre Opens
In 1926, The Jayhawk Theatre, an art-deco movie house in Topeka opened.
April 17, 1930: First use of permanent lighting system
On April 17, 1930, the permanent lighting system was first used for an exhibition game between the Independence Producers and House of David semi-professional baseball team.
April 28, 1930: First Night Game in Professional Baseball
On April 28, 1930, the first night game in professional baseball was played in Independence when the Muscogee Indians beat the Independence Producers 13-3.
1930: The Fox Theater Built
In 1930, The Fox Theater in Hutchinson was built.
1932: Last Democrat elected to U.S. Senate
Since the 1932 election, when Franklin D. Roosevelt won his first term, Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate.
1935: Little House on the Prairie Published
In 1935, Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie, a well-known tale about Kansas, was published.
1935: The Kansas March adopted
In 1935, The Kansas March was adopted by the Kansas Legislature as the official state march.
July 24, 1936: All-time highest temperature recorded
On July 24, 1936, the all-time highest temperature in Kansas was recorded near Alton in Osborne County, reaching 121 °F (49.4 °C).
1936: Alf Landon runs for president
In 1936, Kansas resident Alf Landon ran for president as a Republican candidate but lost.
1936: Setting of Moon Over Manifest
In the summer of 1936, the book Moon Over Manifest takes place where Abilene is sent to the fictional town of Manifest, Kansas by her father.
1937: Sale of cereal malt beverage legalized
In 1937, the sale of cereal malt beverage (3.2 beer) was legalized in Kansas.
1940: Kansas backed Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie
In 1940, Kansas backed Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie, breaking ranks with the majority of the country in the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1944: Kansas backed Republican Presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey
In 1944, Kansas backed Republican Presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey, breaking ranks with the majority of the country in the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1948: Repeal of alcohol prohibition
In 1948, Kansas repealed its constitutional amendment prohibiting all alcoholic beverages.
1948: Kansas supported Dewey
In 1948, Kansas supported Dewey despite the presence of incumbent president Harry S. Truman.
1948: First post-Prohibition legalization of alcoholic liquor
In 1948, the first post-Prohibition legalization of alcoholic liquor occurred in Kansas when the state's constitution was amended.
1952: KU wins national title
In 1952, the Kansas Jayhawks won a national title in men's basketball.
1952: NCAA HQ Located in Johnson County
In 1952, the NCAA was headquartered in Johnson County, Kansas.
1954: St. Benedict's College Won Men's NAIA Basketball Championship
In 1954, St. Benedict's College won the Men's NAIA Basketball Championship.
1954: Brown v. Board of Education decision
In 1954, the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka banned racially segregated schools throughout the U.S.
May 25, 1955: Deadliest tornado in Kansas history
On May 25, 1955, the city of Udall was struck by the deadliest tornado in Kansas history, resulting in 80 fatalities in and around the city.
November 14, 1956: First section of Interstate opened
On November 14, 1956, the first section of Interstate in the nation was opened on Interstate 70 (I-70) just west of Topeka.
1956: Only rear license plates required
Since 1956, Kansas has only required rear license plates on vehicles.
1959: The Clutter Family Murders
In 1959, a wealthy farmer and his family were murdered in Holcomb, Kansas; these events are chronicled in Truman Capote's book, In Cold Blood.
1960: Incorporation of Overland Park
In 1960, Overland Park was incorporated as a city and is the largest city by population and land area in Johnson County.
1964: Lyndon B. Johnson won Kansas
In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson won Kansas.
1965: In Cold Blood is published
In 1965, Truman Capote's "nonfiction novel" In Cold Blood, which chronicles the 1959 murders of a Kansas family, was published.
1965: WSU Appears in the Final Four
In 1965, Wichita State University (WSU) Shockers appeared in the Final Four in men's basketball.
1967: St. Benedict's College Won Men's NAIA Basketball Championship
In 1967, St. Benedict's College Won Men's NAIA Basketball Championship.
1970: WSU Football Team Plane Crash
In 1970, Wichita State University (WSU) Shockers faced a tragic plane crash that killed 31 people, including 14 players.
1973: WIBW Radio for Royals
From 1973 the flagship radio station for the Kansas City Royals was WIBW in Topeka.
1980: Life Expectancy Baseline
Life expectancy data from 1980 was used as a baseline to track changes in life expectancy in Kansas.
1986: WSU Football Team Ends
In 1986, Wichita State University (WSU) Shockers ended their football team.
1986: Liquor-by-the-drink becomes legal
In 1986, liquor-by-the-drink became legal in Kansas with the passage of an amendment to the state's constitution.
1987: Washburn wins NAIA Men's Basketball Championship
In 1987, Washburn University won the NAIA Men's Basketball Championship.
1988: KU wins NCAA tournament
In 1988, the Kansas Jayhawks won the NCAA tournament championship in men's basketball.
1989: Bill Snyder arrived at K-State
In 1989, Bill Snyder arrived to coach at K-State and transformed the football program.
1989: The Fox Theater Placed on the National Register of Historic Places
In 1989, The Fox Theater in Hutchinson was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1989: WSU Won College World Series
In 1989, Wichita State University (WSU) Shockers won the College World Series in baseball.
1989: Geodetic center of North America
Until 1989, the Meades Ranch Triangulation Station in Osborne County, Kansas, served as the geodetic center of North America.
1990: Sales tax collections in Kansas
In 1990, the total sales tax collections in Kansas amounted to $805.3 million.
1992: Debt as percentage of personal income
In 1992, Kansas' debt was less than 1% of personal income, before rising to 3.8% by June 2004.
1992: Secessionist movement
In 1992, a short-lived secessionist movement advocated for the secession of several counties in southwest Kansas.
1995: Pittsburg State Became Winningest Division II Football Program
In 1995, Pittsburg State became the winningest NCAA Division II football program.
1996: Bob Dole runs for president
In 1996, Kansas resident Bob Dole ran for president as a Republican candidate but lost.
1996: Fort Hays State wins NCAA Division II title
In 1996, the Fort Hays State University men won the NCAA Division II title with a 34-0 record.
1997: WIBW Radio Ends Agreement with Royals
In 1997, the flagship radio station agreement for the Kansas City Royals ended with WIBW in Topeka.
1998: K-State achieved Undefeated Season
In 1998, K-State football achieved an undefeated (11-0) regular season and was ranked No. 1.
1998: Tax reduction in Kansas
In 1998, a permanent tax reduction in Kansas contributed to revenue shortfalls and growth in the state's debt level.
1999: Comprehensive Transportation Program enacted
In 1999, Kansas enacted a 10-year Comprehensive Transportation Program, contributing to an expected increase in debt.
1999: Oil prices bottomed out
In 1999, oil prices bottomed out, leading to fairly constant oil production in Kansas since then.
1999: Elimination of evolution from teaching standards
In 1999, the Kansas State Board of Education decided to eliminate evolution from the state teaching standards, a decision that was later reversed.
1999: NCAA HQ Moved to Indianapolis
In 1999, the NCAA headquarters moved from Johnson County, Kansas to Indianapolis.
1999: Board of Education Approved Teaching of Intelligent Design
Twice since 1999 the Kansas Board of Education has approved changes in the state science curriculum standards that encouraged the teaching of intelligent design.
2000: Language Spoken in Kansas
In 2000, English was the most-spoken language in Kansas, with 91.3% of the population speaking only English at home.
2000: Population Growth
Since 2000, Goddard's population has grown by more than 11% per year.
November 2001: Flat sales tax collections
During the recession of November 2001, monthly sales tax collections in Kansas were flat.
2003: K-State Takes Big 12 Championship
In 2003, K-State took the Big 12 Conference championship in football.
2003: Kansas income tax brackets
In 2003, Kansas had three income brackets for income tax calculation, ranging from 3.5% to 6.45%.
2003: "Flatter Than a Pancake" study
In 2003, a tongue-in-cheek study famously declared Kansas "flatter than a pancake".
2003: Sales tax collections in Kansas
In 2003, total sales tax collections in Kansas amounted to $1,630 million, an inflation-adjusted reduction of 10% compared to projections without rate changes or economic growth.
January 2004: Kansas 511 traveler information service announced
In January 2004, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced the new Kansas 511 traveler information service.
June 2004: Kansas ranked for net tax-supported debt
In June 2004, Moody's Investors Service ranked Kansas 14th for net tax-supported debt per capita.
2004: Foreign-born Population Statistics
As of 2004, Kansas had a foreign-born population of 149,800, representing 5.5% of the state population.
2004: George W. Bush wins Kansas
In 2004, George W. Bush won Kansas' six electoral votes by a large margin, securing 62% of the vote. Only Wyandotte and Douglas counties supported Democrat John Kerry.
2004: Oil production in Kansas
In 2004, Kansas oil production averaged about 2.8 million barrels per month.
2004: What's the Matter with Kansas? published
In 2004, journalist and historian Thomas Frank published his book What's the Matter with Kansas?.
October 1, 2005: Streamlined Sales Tax adopted
On October 1, 2005, Kansas adopted the "Streamlined Sales Tax" system under Governor Kathleen Sebelius, creating 920 separate sales tax rates.
2005: Ban on same-sex marriage
In 2005, Kansas voters accepted a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
2005: Washburn women win NCAA Division II crown
In 2005, the Washburn women won the NCAA Division II crown.
November 2006: Kansas dry counties
As of November 2006, Kansas still had 29 dry counties and only 17 counties had passed liquor-by-the-drink with no food sales requirement.
2006: Increase in Kansas state debt
In 2006, bonded debt in Kansas increased to $3.83 billion, up from $1.16 billion in 1998.
2008: Sebelius vetoed permits for coal-fired energy plants
In 2008, Democrat Governor Kathleen Sebelius vetoed permits for the construction of new coal-fired energy plants in Kansas.
2008: John McCain wins Kansas
In 2008, John McCain won Kansas with 57% of the votes. Only Douglas, Wyandotte, and Crawford counties supported Barack Obama.
2008: KU wins NCAA tournament
In 2008, the Kansas Jayhawks won the NCAA tournament championship in men's basketball.
2008: Jayhawks Win Orange Bowl
In 2008, the Kansas Jayhawks won the Orange Bowl.
2008: Brownback's presidential candidacy
Senator Sam Brownback was a candidate for the Republican party nomination for president in 2008.
2008: Sporting Kansas City Located in Kansas City
Since 2008, Sporting Kansas City has played their home games at Village West in Kansas City.
2009: Bill Snyder returns to K-State
In 2009, Bill Snyder came out of retirement and guided K-State football to the top of the college football ranks again.
2009: Compromise plan to allow coal-fired plant
In 2009, Governor Mark Parkinson announced a compromise plan to allow construction of a coal-fired plant.
August 2010: Moran defeated Tiahrt
In August 2010 primary, Moran defeated Tiahrt for the Republican nomination for Brownback's seat, then won a landslide general election victory over Democrat Lisa Johnston.
2010: Sam Brownback's campaign for governor
During his 2010 campaign, Governor Sam Brownback called for a complete "phase out of Kansas's income tax".
2010: Emporia State Wins NCAA Division II National Championship
In 2010, Emporia State's women's basketball team won the NCAA Division II National Championship.
2010: K-State Advanced to Elite Eight
In 2010, K-State advanced to the Elite Eight in men's basketball.
2010: Sam Brownback elected governor
In 2010, Republican Sam Brownback was elected governor of Kansas with 63 percent of the state vote.
2010: Religious Adherents in Kansas
In 2010, the Catholic Church had the highest number of adherents in Kansas, followed by the United Methodist Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.
2010: State general fund debt load
In fiscal year 2010 the state general fund debt load was $83 million.
2010: Census Baseline
Population statistics from the 2010 United States census are used as a baseline for comparison.
May 2011: Elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission
In May 2011, Kansas eliminated the Kansas Arts Commission, becoming the first state without an arts agency.
July 2011: Plans to close the Lawrence branch of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
In July 2011, plans to close the Lawrence branch of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services were announced, but the branch remained open due to Lawrence City Commission funding.
2011: Minority Groups in Kansas
As of 2011, 35.0% of Kansas's population younger than one year of age belonged to minority groups.
2011: K-State finishes second in the Big 12
In 2011, K-State football finished second in the Big 12 and earned a berth in the Cotton Bowl.
2011: Moon Over Manifest Wins Newbery Medal
In 2011, Moon Over Manifest, a children's novel by Kansan Clare Vanderpool, won the Newbery Medal.
2011: Pittsburg State Wins NCAA Division II National Title
In 2011, Pittsburg State University won the NCAA Division II national title in football.
2011: Sporting Kansas City Move
In 2011, Sporting Kansas City moved to their new home at Children's Mercy Park.
May 2012: Kansas Senate Bill Substitute HB 2117 signed into law
In May 2012, Governor Brownback signed into law the Kansas Senate Bill Substitute HB 2117, which trimmed income tax, eliminated some corporate taxes, and created pass-through income tax exemptions; and raised the sales tax by one percent.
2012: Boeing ended manufacturing in Kansas
In 2012, Boeing ended its decades-long history of manufacturing in Kansas.
2012: K-State Win Big 12 Again
In 2012, K-State won the Big 12 again in football.
2013: Tax increases implemented
In 2013 tax increases were implemented in Kansas.
2013: Boeing ended manufacturing in Kansas
In 2013, Boeing ended its decades-long history of manufacturing in Kansas.
2013: FC Kansas City Inaugural Season
In 2013, FC Kansas City, a charter member of the National Women's Soccer League, played its inaugural season on the Kansas side of the metropolitan area.
2013: WSU Appears in the Final Four
In 2013, Wichita State University (WSU) Shockers appeared in the Final Four in men's basketball.
2013: Kansas Life Expectancy
In 2013, males in Kansas had an average life expectancy of 76.6 years, while females had an average of 81.0 years.
2013: Tax overhaul started in Kansas
Starting in 2013, the "ambitious tax overhaul" trimmed income tax, eliminated some corporate taxes, and created pass-through income tax exemptions in Kansas.
September 2014: Independent Greg Orman Challenges Pat Roberts
In September 2014, The New York Times reported that independent Greg Orman was attracting bipartisan support in his challenge to Republican Pat Roberts' reelection bid for Senator, as the Democratic candidate tried to drop out of the race.
2014: WSU Enters NCAA Tournament Unbeaten
In 2014, Wichita State University (WSU) Shockers entered the NCAA tournament unbeaten in men's basketball.
2014: Life Expectancy Comparisons
Life expectancy changes in Kansas between 1980 and 2014 were compared to the national average for both males and females.
2014: Religious Landscape of Kansas
The 2014 Pew Religious Landscape Survey indicated that the religious makeup of adults in Kansas was 57% Protestant and 18% Catholic.
2015: Kansas agricultural productivity
In 2015, Kansas was recognized as one of the most productive agricultural states, known for high yields of wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybeans.
2015: Job Growth Rate in Kansas
In 2015, the job growth rate in Kansas was 0.8%, among the lowest rates in America.
April 2016: Kansas Unemployment Rate
As of April 2016, the unemployment rate in Kansas was 4.2%.
2016: Wheat Production Statistics
During 2016, farmers of conventionally grown wheat in Kansas farmed 8.2 million acres and harvested an average of 57 bushels of wheat per acre.
2016: Governor Brownback's unpopularity
In 2016, Governor Brownback had a 26% approval rating, earning him the title of "most unpopular governor in America".
2016: Metropolitan Employment
In 2016, statistics were collected on the total employment of metropolitan areas in the State of Kansas by total non-farm employment.
2016: Average Cost of Running a Farm
In 2016, the average cost of running a farm in Kansas was $300,000.
2016: Employer Establishments in Kansas
In 2016, there was a total of 74,884 employer establishments in Kansas.
February 2017: Budget shortfall in Kansas
In February 2017, Kansas faced a $350 million budget shortfall due to tax cuts implemented since 2013.
February 2017: S&P lowers Kansas's credit rating
In February 2017, S&P Global Ratings lowered Kansas's credit rating to AA−.
February 2017: Bill to repeal tax exemption
In February 2017, a bi-partisan coalition presented a bill to repeal the pass-through income exemption in Kansas.
February 2017: Budget Shortfall and Credit Downgrade
In February 2017, the State of Kansas faced a $350 million budget shortfall, leading to S&P downgrading Kansas's credit rating to AA−.
June 6, 2017: Tax increases implemented
On June 6, 2017, a coalition of Democrats and Republicans overrode Brownback's veto and implemented tax increases in Kansas.
June 2017: Brownback's tax overhaul described as "most aggressive experiment"
In a June 2017 article in The Atlantic, Brownback's tax overhaul was described as the United States' "most aggressive experiment in conservative economic policy".
2017: FC Kansas City Folding
In 2017, FC Kansas City folded after the season.
2017: Life expectancy variation
Using 2017-2019 data, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation calculated life expectancy ranged from 75.8 years in Wyandotte County to 81.7 years for Johnson County.
2018: Kansas Agricultural Statistics
As of 2018, there were 59,600 farms in Kansas, with 86 certified as organic farms.
2018: Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach
In 2018, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach in the election for Governor with 48.0% of the vote.
2018: K-State Advanced to Elite Eight
In 2018, K-State advanced to the Elite Eight in men's basketball.
July 1, 2019: Kansas Population Estimate
On July 1, 2019, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of Kansas to be 2,913,314.
2019: Kansas wind energy production
In 2019, Kansas had an installed capacity of about 6,100 Megawatts from nearly 3,200 wind turbines, generating 41% of the state's electricity.
2019: Kansas Life Expectancy Statistics
In 2019, life expectancy for Kansas as a whole was 78.5 years, compared to 78.8 years for the United States overall.
2019: Kansas and Missouri sign agreement to stop financial incentives
In 2019, the governors of Kansas and Missouri signed an agreement to stop offering financial incentives to pull business across the border.
2020: Kansas Population Count
According to the 2020 census, the population of Kansas was 2,940,865, making it the 36th most-populous state in the U.S.
2020: Kansas population according to the census
At the 2020 census, Kansas' population was 2,937,880.
2020: Racial and ethnic makeup
At the 2020 census, Kansas' racial and ethnic makeup was 75.6% White, 5.7% African American, 2.9% Asian American, 1.1% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.9% some other race, and 9.5% two or more races.
2020: Religious Adherents in Kansas
In 2020, ARDA reported 414,939 Catholics, 165,658 United Methodists, and 164,486 Southern Baptists in Kansas.
2020: Kansas scheduled additional wind energy capacity
In 2020, Kansas scheduled an additional 700 MW of wind energy capacity to come online.
2020: Kansas ranked as the 13th hardest state for citizens to vote in
In a 2020 study, Kansas was ranked as the 13th hardest state for citizens to vote in.
2021: United States census estimates
According to the 2021 United States census estimates, the racial makeup of the population was 74.7% White American, non-Hispanic.
May 12, 2022: Kansas Legalizes Sports Betting
On May 12, 2022, Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation (Senate Bill 84) that legalizes sports betting in the state, making Kansas the 35th state to approve sports wagering in the US.
August 2022: Kansas voters rejected Value Them Both Amendment
In August 2022, Kansas voters rejected the Value Them Both Amendment, which would have eliminated the right to an abortion in the state constitution.
2022: Homelessness in Kansas
According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 2,397 homeless people in Kansas.
2022: KU wins NCAA tournament
In 2022, the Kansas Jayhawks won the NCAA tournament championship in men's basketball.
2022: Religious Affiliation Study
In 2022, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI)'s study revealed 74% of Kansas' total population were Christian.
2022: Kansas governor opens door to Chiefs stadium move
In 2022, the governor of Kansas said that the 2019 agreement with Missouri did not include enticement of the Chiefs football team moving its arena from Missouri to Kansas.
2023: Kansas Economic Data
In 2023, Kansas had a gross domestic product of $226 billion, with a per capita income of $63,732.
