1. In 1865, Confederate leader General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. This event likely had a significant impact on the lives of Kansans and reflected the end of a major historical era for the state and the country as a whole.

2. In 1933, Kansas became the final state in the United States to officially ratify the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition. This marked a significant shift in the state's history, as Kansas had been a staunch supporter of Prohibition and had only reluctantly agreed to repeal it.

3. In 1997, a disastrous tornado swept through the central Kansas town of Andover, causing extensive damage and killing 13 people. The tornado was one of the most destructive in the state's history and served as a warning of the dangers posed by severe weather in Kansas.

4. In 2009, the Kansas City Royals opened their new baseball stadium, Kauffman Stadium, with a game against the New York Yankees. The stadium, which features a distinctive waterfall and fountain display in the outfield, has become a popular destination for sports fans and tourists alike.

5. In 2014, the Kansas legislature passed a controversial law known as the Kansas Religious Freedom Act, which was widely criticized as discriminatory against the LGBT community. The law was eventually repealed in 2015, but its passage and subsequent repeal highlighted ongoing tensions over issues of equality and rights in the state.