1. Kansas was admitted to the Union
April 30, 1861, was a significant date in Kansas history as it marked the day when Kansas was officially admitted to the Union as the 34th state. This followed years of political and social unrest in the region, including the famous "Bleeding Kansas" period of the late 1850s.

2. Dodge City was founded
In 1872, April 30 saw the founding of Dodge City, a frontier town in southwestern Kansas that would go on to become one of the most famous Wild West towns in American history. The town was a hub for cattle drives and a hotspot for gunslingers, including legendary figures like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson.

3. The McPherson County Massacre
On April 30, 1868, a tragic event occurred in McPherson County, Kansas, when a group of Cheyenne Native Americans attacked a settler's cabin and killed several members of the family inside. This set off a series of retaliatory attacks and intensified conflicts between settlers and Native Americans in the region.

4. The Kansas Turnpike was Completed
April 30, 1956, marked the completion of the Kansas Turnpike, a major toll road that runs from the Oklahoma border in the south to the Kansas City metropolitan area in the north. The turnpike made travel across the state much faster and more efficient, and helped spur economic development in the region.

5. The State Capitol was dedicated
On April 30, 1903, the Kansas State Capitol building was officially dedicated in Topeka. The building, which is still in use today, is an iconic symbol of the state's political and cultural history, and features a distinctive dome that is visible from miles around.