Ad astra per aspera

HAPPY KANSAS DAY!

Growing up in Kansas is probably the second coolest thing a person can do in a lifetime. Mainly because in grade school you likely had to dress up as pioneers and churned butter to celebrate Kansas Day. So, in honor of this special day in history I'm going to share some Kansas Fun Facts with you that I got from this site (some editorializing may take place on my list though).

Only acceptable state nickname: Sunflower State

State flower: Sunflower

State tree: Cottonwood

State reptile: Ornate Box Turtle (I gotta be honest, I feel like box turtle is a real stretch. What about the garter snake? There was probably a vote way-back-when — when all of these things were being decided — and the group felt having a snake as the state reptile would hurt tourism.)

State bird: Western Meadowlark

State animal: Buffalo

State song: "Home on the Range" (In grade school we performed this one play, probably called Home on the Range, that had this song in it. So I can sing this for any of you if you need me to.)



State motto: Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties)

Sadly, my fun fact source site and I disagree on what makes the state famous and famous people from the state. Seriously, did anybody know that Charles Curtis was 1. a vice president and 2. from Kansas? I mean, if you are super bored, educate yourself with this wikipedia link on him and then let me know if this gets a famous Kansan vote or not.

Not to 'suade your vote any, but I've driven through and around Topeka lots of times and never seen a sign boasting "Home of former Vice President Charles Curtis." If the votes come in famous though, I'll contact Governor Brownback tout de suite to remedy this grave oversight.