Kansas City History

Despite memorials and commemorations, some observers fear the tragedy is fading from memory as the nation marks 25 years since the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Harry Houdini's connection to Kansas City started out by accident, but it lasted throughout his legendary career. A new historic marker will commemorate the debut of his first escape from a straitjacket while suspended in midair.

Harry Houdini was a master of escape. He was also a self-promoter who once performed a stunt in downtown Kansas City to draw an audience to his shows. We'll learn about the Houdini escape that originated right here in Kansas City.

The biggest natural disaster ever to hit Kansas City struck 75 years ago. The Black Friday Flood of 1951 is remembered as bigger, nastier and worse than you can probably imagine.

The 1951 Black Friday Flood on the Kaw River destroyed Kansas City's Stockyards and meatpacking industry, did $12 billion worth of damage and displaced 750,000 people.

If you go to any ice cream truck or swimming pool snack bar, you’ll likely find the red, white and blue Bomb Pop. The famous treat was invented in Kansas City in 1955. But when the popsicle first came out during the Cold War, some parents didn’t like the idea of selling a frozen weapon of war to children.

The red-white-and-blue popsicles are the ultimate shorthand Americana — a throwback to the simple days of ice cream trucks, July 4th fireworks and humid summer nights. But after the Bomb Pop came on the market in July 1955, some parents revolted over the symbolism of selling a frozen weapon of war to children.

The JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival takes place this year across two days in a newly-transformed Historic 18th and Vine district. It's also the first time festival organizers will welcome a World Cup audience.

Los esfuerzos de Kansas City de ser anfitriona de la Copa Mundial se remontan a 1988. Y ahora, el torneo finalmente está aquí, tras cuatro años de preparativos que no solo han remodelado la infraestructura de la zona metropolitana, sino que también han consolidado su identidad como una auténtica ciudad del fútbol.

City officials, community members and business owners celebrated the grand opening of a nearly yearlong project to transform the corridor into a more walkable public space. It’s part of a $400 million push to revitalize the historic neighborhood.

Kansas City’s efforts to host the World Cup go back all the way to 1988. Now the tournament is finally here, after four years of preparations that not only reshaped the metro’s infrastructure, but also solidified its identity as a true soccer city. How did we land such a big event, and are we ready?

Kansas City’s efforts to host the World Cup go back all the way to 1988. Now the tournament is finally here, after four years of preparations that not only reshaped the metro’s infrastructure, but also solidified its identity as a true soccer city.