Portal:Kansas

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The Kansas Portal

Kansas (/ˈkænzəs/ ⓘ KAN-zəss) is a landlocked state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named after the Kansas River, in turn named after the Kansa people. Its capital is Topeka, and its most populous city is Wichita, however the largest urban area is the bi-state Kansas City, MO–KS metropolitan area.

For thousands of years, what is now Kansas was home to numerous and diverse Indigenous tribes. The first settlement of non-indigenous people in Kansas occurred in 1827 at Fort Leavenworth. The pace of settlement accelerated in the 1850s, in the midst of political wars over the slavery debate. When it was officially opened to settlement by the U.S. government in 1854 with the Kansas–Nebraska Act, conflict between abolitionist Free-Staters from New England and pro-slavery settlers from neighboring Missouri broke out over the question of whether Kansas would become a free state or a slave state, in a period known as Bleeding Kansas. On January 29, 1861, Kansas entered the Union as a free state, hence the unofficial nickname "The Free State". Passage of the Homestead Acts in 1862 brought a further influx of settlers, and the booming cattle trade of the 1870s attracted some of the Wild West's most iconic figures to western Kansas.

As of 2015, Kansas was among the most productive agricultural states, producing high yields of wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybeans. In addition to its traditional strength in agriculture, Kansas possesses an extensive aerospace industry. Kansas, which has an area of 82,278 square miles (213,100 square kilometers) is the 15th-largest state by area, the 36th most-populous of the 50 states, with a population of 2,940,865 according to the 2020 census, and the 10th least densely populated. Residents of Kansas are called Kansans. Mount Sunflower is Kansas's highest point at 4,039 feet (1,231 meters). (Full article...)

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It Went Against Us by Samuel J. Reader

The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of Little Osage, was fought on October 25, 1864, in Linn County, Kansas, as part of Price's Missouri Campaign during the American Civil War. Major-General Sterling Price had begun an expedition in September 1864 to restore Confederate control of Missouri. After being defeated at Westport near Kansas City on October 23, Price's army began to retreat south through Kansas. Early on October 25, Price's army was defeated at the Marais des Cygnes. After Marais des Cygnes, the Confederates fell back, but were stalled at the crossing of Mine Creek while a wagon train attempted to cross.

Union cavalry commanded by Colonel John F. Philips and Lieutenant Colonel Frederick W. Benteen caught up to Price's army while it was stalled at the creek crossing. Confederate cavalry commanded by Major General James F. Fagan and Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke attempted to defend against the Union assault, but were soundly defeated. Many Confederate soldiers were captured, including Marmaduke. Later on the 25th, Price was again defeated at the Battle of Marmiton River. After Marmiton River, Price destroyed many of his wagons. On October 28, the Union defeated Price again at the Second Battle of Newtonia, and the shattered Confederate army reached Texas in December. The site of the battle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as the Battle of Mine Creek Site, and the Kansas Historical Society created the Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site in 1974. Mine Creek is considered to be one of the largest battles between mounted cavalry during the war. (Full article...)

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Credit: Edwin Olson
A view of the Flint Hills in eastern Kansas.

Important dates in Kansas' history

July–August 1541
Coronado explores Kansas
April 30, 1803
Louisiana Purchase Treaty signed
May 30, 1854
Kansas Territory organized
July 29, 1859
Constitution adopted by convention
January 29, 1861
Kansas becomes 34th state
August 21, 1863
Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence
Spring 1879
Exodusters
February 19, 1881
First state to Constitutionally prohibit alcohol
1890s
Populist Revolt
July 1951
Great Flood of 1951
May 17, 1954
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

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State facts


State symbols:

The American Bison, Kansas' state mammal.

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James Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837 – August 2, 1876), better known as "Wild Bill" Hickok, was a folk hero of the American Old West known for his life on the frontier as a soldier, scout, lawman, cattle rustler, gunslinger, gambler, showman, and actor, and for his involvement in many famous gunfights. He earned a great deal of notoriety in his own time, much of it bolstered by the many outlandish and often fabricated tales he told about himself. Some contemporaneous reports of his exploits are known to be fictitious, but they remain the basis of much of his fame and reputation.

Hickok was born and raised on a farm in northern Illinois at a time when lawlessness and vigilante activity were rampant because of the influence of the "Banditti of the Prairie". Drawn to this ruffian lifestyle, he headed west at age 18 as a fugitive from justice, working as a stagecoach driver and later as a lawman in the frontier territories of Kansas and Nebraska. He fought and spied for the Union Army during the American Civil War and gained publicity after the war as a scout, marksman, actor, and professional gambler. He was involved in several notable shootouts during the course of his life. (Full article...)
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General images

The following are images from various Kansas-related articles on Wikipedia.
  • Image 1Köppen climate types of Kansas, using 1991–2020 climate normals (from Kansas)
    Köppen climate types of Kansas, using 1991–2020 climate normals (from Kansas)
  • Landscape painting with bison drinking from the stream's edge and teh sun just above the horizon
    Albert Bierstadt, Western Kansas, 1875 (from Kansas)
  • Image 3The Great Plains of Kansas (from Kansas)
    The Great Plains of Kansas (from Kansas)
  • Image 4Kansas summer wheat and storm panorama (from Kansas)
    Kansas summer wheat and storm panorama (from Kansas)
  • Image 5Clouds in northeastern Kansas (from Kansas)
    Clouds in northeastern Kansas (from Kansas)
  • Image 6Tyler Field in Eck Stadium at Wichita State University in Wichita (from Kansas)
    Tyler Field in Eck Stadium at Wichita State University in Wichita (from Kansas)
  • Image 7Gove County Badlands (from Kansas)
    Gove County Badlands (from Kansas)
  • Image 8The Kansas Pacific main line shown on an 1869 map (from History of Kansas)
    The Kansas Pacific main line shown on an 1869 map (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 9Charles Curtis (R) was born near Topeka and served as a State Legislator, Congressman and Senator, before becoming Vice President (1929–33). He is the only Native American elected to the Executive Branch (he was born into the Kaw Nation). (from Kansas)
    Charles Curtis (R) was born near Topeka and served as a State Legislator, Congressman and Senator, before becoming Vice President (1929–33). He is the only Native American elected to the Executive Branch (he was born into the Kaw Nation). (from Kansas)
  • Image 10George Armstrong Custer led U.S. troops against Native Americans in western Kansas. (from History of Kansas)
    George Armstrong Custer led U.S. troops against Native Americans in western Kansas. (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 11Temporary quarters for Volga Germans in central Kansas, 1875 (from History of Kansas)
    Temporary quarters for Volga Germans in central Kansas, 1875 (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 12David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is the oldest football stadium west of the Mississippi River, and one of the oldest standing football stadiums in the country. Built in 1921, it is home to the Kansas Jayhawks football team. (from Kansas)
    David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is the oldest football stadium west of the Mississippi River, and one of the oldest standing football stadiums in the country. Built in 1921, it is home to the Kansas Jayhawks football team. (from Kansas)
  • Image 13The Plaza Cinema in Ottawa is the oldest operating movie theater in the world. (from Kansas)
    The Plaza Cinema in Ottawa is the oldest operating movie theater in the world. (from Kansas)
  • Milky Way over Monument Rocks, Kansas, US (from Kansas)
    Kansas's Monument Rocks at night
  • Image 15A population density map of Kansas (from Kansas)
    A population density map of Kansas (from Kansas)
  • Image 16Kanopolis State Park (from Kansas)
    Kanopolis State Park (from Kansas)
  • Image 17Allen Fieldhouse at University of Kansas in Lawrence (from Kansas)
    Allen Fieldhouse at University of Kansas in Lawrence (from Kansas)
  • Image 18Frank Bond's illustration of the Louisiana Purchase (from History of Kansas)
    Frank Bond's illustration of the Louisiana Purchase (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 19Kansas Highway Map (from Kansas)
    Kansas Highway Map (from Kansas)
  • Image 20Reverend Charles Sheldon, Topeka resident and coiner of the phrase "What would Jesus do?" (from Kansas)
    Reverend Charles Sheldon, Topeka resident and coiner of the phrase "What would Jesus do?" (from Kansas)
  • Image 21Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City (from Kansas)
    Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City (from Kansas)
  • Image 22Chippewa named "One-Called-From-A-Distance" (from History of Kansas)
    Chippewa named "One-Called-From-A-Distance" (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 23The Great Seal of the State of Kansas was established by the legislature on May 25, 1861. The design was submitted by Senator John James Ingalls. He also proposed the state motto, "Ad astra per aspera", which means "to the stars through difficulty". (from History of Kansas)
    The Great Seal of the State of Kansas was established by the legislature on May 25, 1861. The design was submitted by Senator John James Ingalls. He also proposed the state motto, "Ad astra per aspera", which means "to the stars through difficulty". (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 24Map of counties in Kansas by racial plurality, per the 2020 U.S. census Legend Non-Hispanic White   30–40%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90%+ Hispanic or Latino   50–60%   60–70% (from Kansas)
    Map of counties in Kansas by racial plurality, per the 2020 U.S. census
    Legend
    (from Kansas)
  • Image 25Ethnic origins in Kansas (from Kansas)
    Ethnic origins in Kansas (from Kansas)
  • Image 26Spring River, Kansas (from Kansas)
    Spring River, Kansas (from Kansas)
  • Image 27Fox Theater, Hutchinson (from Kansas)
    Fox Theater, Hutchinson (from Kansas)
  • Image 28John Brown about 1856 (from History of Kansas)
    John Brown about 1856 (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 29Boosterism: cover of a promotional booklet published in 1907 by the Rock Island railroad (from History of Kansas)
    Boosterism: cover of a promotional booklet published in 1907 by the Rock Island railroad (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 30The Rio Theatre, Overland Park (from Kansas)
    The Rio Theatre, Overland Park (from Kansas)
  • Image 31Samuel Seymour's 1819 illustration of a Kansa lodge and dance is the oldest drawing known to be done in Kansas. (from History of Kansas)
    Samuel Seymour's 1819 illustration of a Kansa lodge and dance is the oldest drawing known to be done in Kansas. (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 32Quantrill's 1863 raid burned the town of Lawrence and killed 164 townspeople. (from History of Kansas)
    Quantrill's 1863 raid burned the town of Lawrence and killed 164 townspeople. (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 33Boeing B-29 Superfortress production in Wichita in 1944 (from History of Kansas)
    Boeing B-29 Superfortress production in Wichita in 1944 (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 341915–1918 Kansas railroad map (from Kansas)
    1915–1918 Kansas railroad map (from Kansas)
  • Image 35Map of Indian territories, 1836 (from History of Kansas)
    Map of Indian territories, 1836 (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 361855 Free-State poster (from History of Kansas)
    1855 Free-State poster (from History of Kansas)
  • Image 37Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence (from Kansas)
    Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence (from Kansas)

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