1. On January 18, 1861, the Kansas state constitution was adopted. This made Kansas the 34th state to be admitted into the Union.

2. In 1920, on January 18th, William Allen White's daughter Mary White was killed in a horseback riding accident. This tragedy spurred White, an editor and publisher for the Emporia Gazette, to write his famous editorial "Mary White."

3. On January 18, 1943, Wichita hosted its first National Meat Packers Convention at the Forum Auditorium. This convention provided an opportunity for meatpackers from across the country to showcase new products and techniques.

4. Kansas-born entrepreneur and philanthropist Elizabeth Krehbiel was born on January 18, 1855. Krehbiel founded the Krehbiel Company to sell dry goods before eventually getting involved in the oil and gas industry. She also donated generously to various charitable causes.

5. On January 18, 1953, the University of Kansas played the University of North Carolina in what would become one of the most famous basketball games in history. Dubbed the "highest-scoring game in NCAA history," the Jayhawks defeated the Tar Heels 54-53 in triple overtime.