January 28, 2010
Kansas Day is Friday, Jan. 29. In honor, Wyandotte County Museum director Patricia Schurkamp offers her input on the holiday.
Q: When was Kansas Day established?
A: Kansas Day was established in 1877 when LeGrande Alexander Copley began an annual tradition that continues today. Copley wanted to make Kansas history come to life for his students in Paola public schools. So on Jan. 29 the American history teacher set aside an hour for activities and contests on the history and geography of Kansas.
Q: Why was Jan. 29 chosen as Kansas Day?
A: Jan. 29 is the date Kansas entered into the Union.
Q: What was Wyandotte County’s role in the history of Kansas?
A: If it had not been for Wyandotte County, there would not be the state of Kansas. There had been three previous attempts at establishing an acceptable constitution. The Wyandotte Constitution Convention was the last constitution written and approved, allowing Kansas to come in as a free state.
Q: Why should students learn about the history of their state in schools?
A: If we fail to understand our past, then we are condemned to repeat its failures.
A: What is your favorite Kansas fact?
Q: The first Native American woman to argue before the United States Supreme Court was from Wyandotte County.
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Point of View
The postal service is cutting back hours at some rural post offices. How often do you go to the post office?
“For my own personal use, I only go a couple times a year to mail gifts, usually around Christmas and family birthdays. At that time I usually buy a couple books of stamps that last for most of the year! For professional use, I go a couple times a month to check our PO Box.”
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