1. The State of Kansas officially established October 31st as Kansas Day in 1879. This day is marked as the anniversary of the state's admission to the Union on January 29, 1861.

2. In 1864, a group of Confederate guerrillas led by William Quantrill raided the town of Fort Scott, Kansas on October 31st. The raid resulted in the deaths of several Union soldiers and civilians.

3. The notorious outlaw Jesse James was born in Kearney, Missouri, just a short distance from the Kansas state line, on October 31, 1847. James was known to have carried out several robberies on Kansas banks and trains during his criminal career.

4. On October 31, 1956, the deadliest tornado in Kansas history struck the town of Udall, killing 80 people and injuring over 200. The tornado was rated as an F5, the highest rating on the Fujita scale.

5. The University of Kansas, located in Lawrence, began its first classes on October 31, 1866. The university is now a leading research institution, known for its strong programs in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences.