While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.

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Happy Kansas Day!

Kansas Public Radio | By J. Schafer

Published January 29, 2026 at 8:14 AM CST

It was on this date - January 29th, 1861 - that Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state. Three months later, the nation was embroiled in the American Civil War. But let's not think about that. Instead, let's celebrate the state's people, culture and history. Happy Kansas Day!

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) — Kansas Day has arrived! It was on this date - January 29th, 1861 - that Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state. KPR's J. Schafer filed this report on the state's 165th birthday.

Since 1952, KPR has been committed to serving the people of Kansas with news, information, weather and music. If you want to learn a lot more about the state, listen to this Kansas Day feature from the KPR archives.

J. Schafer