Information and history of the state of Oklahoma

Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado traveled through the state in 1541, but French explorers claimed the area in the 1700s and it remained under French rule until 1803, when it was purchased by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

During the 19th century, thousands of Native Americans were expelled from their ancestral homelands from across North America and transported to Oklahoma. The region was divided into Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory on May 2, 1890. The two were combined to make a new state, Oklahoma, on Nov. 16, 1907.

Some Oklahoma Symbols

1. State Bird	2. State Mammal	3. State Flower	4. State Vegetable	5. State Insect
6. State Tree	7. State Beverage	8. State Fruit	9. State Reptile	10. State Crystal

1. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Oklahoma designated the scissor-tailed flycatcher as official state bird in 1951.
2. Buffalo - Oklahoma designated the buffalo as official state animal 1972.
3. Oklahoma Rose -The Oklahoma rose was designated the official state flower of Oklahoma in 2004.
4. Watermelon - Oklahoma designated watermelon as the official state vegetable in 2007. Although there is controversy on whether watermelon is a fruit or a vegetable.
5. Honeybee - Oklahoma designated the honeybee as official state insect in 1992.
6. Redbud - Oklahoma designated redbud as the official state tree in 1937. The redbud tree's reddish-pink blossoms brighten the landscape throughout the state.
7. Milk - Milk was designated the official state beverage of Oklahoma in 1985.
8. Strawberry - Oklahoma designated the strawberry as official state fruit in 2005. Strawberries are high in Vitamin C and A, and supply 8 percent of the recommended daily allowance for iron.
9. Collared Lizard - Oklahoma designated the collared lizard as the official state reptile symbol in 1969.
10. Hourglass Selenite Crystal - Oklahoma designated hourglass selenite crystal as the official state crystal in 2005. These crystals are found only on the salt plains of Oklahoma.

Did you know?

• On April 22, 1889, the first day homesteading was permitted, 50,000 people swarmed into the area. Those who tried to beat the noon starting gun were called Sooners. Hence the state's nickname.
• Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the Tribal capital of the Cherokee Nation.
• An Oklahoman, Sylvan Goldman, invented the first shopping cart.
• The National Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in Oklahoma City.
• Bob Dunn a musician from Beggs invented the first electric guitar 1935.
• The town of Beaver claims to be the Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World. It is here that the World Championship Cow Chip Throw is held each April.