1. On August 2, 1865, Quantrill’s Raid destroyed the town of Lawrence, Kansas.
On this day, Confederate guerrilla leader William Quantrill led his raiders into Lawrence, Kansas, and burned the town, killing 164 men and boys. The raid was retaliation for Union soldiers’ attacks on pro-Southern settlements in Missouri during the Civil War.

2. The first Kansas State Fair was held on August 2, 1863.
The first of what would become an annual tradition, the Kansas State Fair was held in Emporia and featured agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, and games. The fair would eventually move to Hutchinson and become one of the largest state fairs in the country.

3. On August 2, 1908, a deadly tornado struck the town of Cherryvale, Kansas.
A powerful tornado hit Cherryvale in the late afternoon, killing 26 people and injuring over 100 more. The tornado destroyed over 300 homes and buildings in the town.

4. The first Chevrolet truck was built on August 2, 1918, in Kansas City.
The Chevrolet Motor Company built its first truck in its factory in Kansas City, Kansas. The 1-ton capacity truck was designed for commercial use and was a popular choice among farmers.

5. On August 2, 1971, Wichita State University’s football team died in a plane crash.
The Wichita State football team was on its way to a game in Utah when their chartered plane crashed in the Rocky Mountains, killing all 31 people on board. The tragedy shook the community and the university, and the school ultimately discontinued its football program.