1. May Day has been observed as a holiday in Kansas since the late 19th century, when the state's labor movement began advocating for an eight-hour workday and better conditions for workers. The first May Day parade in the state took place in Wichita in 1894.

2. In 1933, Kansas became the first state in the nation to enact a comprehensive workers' compensation law. The law established a system of benefits for workers who were injured on the job, and made it easier for them to receive compensation for lost wages and medical expenses.

3. May 1, 1957 was a historic day in Kansas history, as it marked the opening of the first section of the Interstate Highway System in the state. The 14-mile stretch of I-70 from Topeka to Lawrence was the first portion of the system to be completed in Kansas.

4. On May 1, 1960, thousands of student protesters gathered on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence to protest the continued segregation of restaurants and other public accommodations. The demonstration was part of a larger movement for civil rights in the state.

5. In recent years, May 1 has become a day of activism and protest for a variety of causes in Kansas and across the country. In 2006, thousands of people marched in Wichita to demand immigration reform and an end to the deportation of undocumented immigrants. And in 2018, a statewide strike by public school teachers began on May 1, with thousands of educators walking out of their classrooms to demand better pay and working conditions.