1. In 1860, the State of Kansas officially entered the Union as the 34th state. This historic event marked the end of Kansas' turbulent years as a territory, where the issue of slavery had deeply divided the region.

2. On December 22, 1955, basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain made his college debut for the University of Kansas. Chamberlain, who is considered one of the greatest players of all time, went on to lead the Jayhawks to the NCAA championship game in 1957.

3. In 1979, one of the deadliest fires in Kansas history occurred on December 22 at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant near De Soto. The explosion and resulting fire claimed the lives of six workers and caused millions of dollars in damage.

4. December 22, 2005, marked the opening of the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Overland Park, Kansas. The 300-acre facility is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and trees, making it a popular attraction for nature enthusiasts.

5. On December 22, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched their third consecutive AFC West title with a 29-28 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was a historic win for the Chiefs, who would go on to advance to the AFC Championship game that season.