1. Kansas became a state on February 26, 1861. It was the 34th state to be admitted to the Union and played a significant role in the American Civil War.
2. On February 26, 1917, the first successful strike in the meatpacking industry occurred in Kansas City. Workers demanded higher wages and improved working conditions, leading to better conditions and pay for employees in the industry.
3. In 1955, on February 26th, a tornado hit the town of Udall, Kansas, killing 80 people. It was one of the deadliest tornadoes in the state's history and caused extensive damage to the town and surrounding areas.
4. The Kansas City Chiefs won their first Super Bowl championship on February 26, 2020. The team defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, giving the franchise its first championship in 50 years.
5. On February 26, 1926, actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri, just a few miles from the Kansas state line. Van Dyke has starred in numerous TV shows and films, including "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "Mary Poppins."