1. In 1861, the "Kansas Wheelmen," a bicycling club, was established in Topeka. It was one of the earliest cycling clubs in the United States.
2. The historic Union Pacific train station in Lawrence, Kansas was destroyed by fire on January 17, 1974. The building was a prominent feature in the city for over 80 years and was later rebuilt.
3. In 1929, Walter Chrysler announced plans for a new automobile plant in Kansas City, which would eventually become one of the largest automotive factories in the world.
4. On January 17, 1892, a major snowstorm hit Kansas, dumping over a foot of snow in some areas and causing widespread transportation delays and power outages.
5. In 1935, the controversial "Kansas Day" bill was introduced in the state legislature, which would have required all schools to celebrate Kansas Day on January 29th. The bill ultimately failed to pass.