The region known today as Oklahoma State was
long the home of various Native American tribes. Among them the Osage, Kiowa, Arapaho,
Wichita and Caddo tribes. In 1541, Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
reached Oklahoma. Other Spanish explorers also came in search of gold, but left
when none was found. In 1682, Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle explored the
Mississippi River and claimed the land around it, including Oklahoma, for France.
During the early 1700s, other French explorers and some traders came to Oklahoma.
In the late 17th century, the French explorer
Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle boldly claimed all of the land drained by Mississippi
River for France; then named it the "Louisiana Territory" in honor of his King,
Louis XIV. In 1803, France sold Louisiana to the United States. The Louisiana Purchase
included the land of Oklahoma. During the early 1800s, only a few fur traders settled
in Oklahoma. The first permanent American settlement was a trading post established
at present-day Salina in 1823.
As settlers from America's eastern cities spread
west, this land we now call Oklahoma remained (for the most part) the domain of
Indians because of its isolated geographical position. Then, in the early 19th century,
the U.S. Government saw an opportunity to use this Indian Territory as a potential
long-term home for southern Indians, and over time they literally forced those Indians
to migrate there. History records this shameful part of America's history, and especially
the infamous migration known as the "Trail of Tears." 
Cherokee Indians, as well
as Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes (and others) were forced to migrate
here, and countless Indians perished during their rigorous journey. The tribes that
made it and survived are known as the Five Civilized Tribes.
The issue of slavery led to the Civil War in
1861. The Five Civilized Tribes had come from the South and many of them owned slaves.
About 6,000 men from the Indian Territory fought for the Confederacy. Stand Watie,
a Cherokee, served as general of the Cherokee Mounted Rifles. In 1865, the Confederacy
lost the war and all slaves were freed. In 1866, Congress took some of the western
land away from the Five Civilized Tribes to punish them for supporting the South.
Other Indians from farther west were then given the land.
In 1902, the leaders of Indian Territory sought
to become their own state, to be named Sequoyah. They held a convention in Eufaula,
consisting of representatives from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee (Creek),
and Seminole tribes, known as the Five Civilized Tribes. They met again next year
to establish a constitutional convention. President Theodore Roosevelt and Congress
turned down the Indian Territory proposal. Using the constitution from the Sequoyah
convention as a basis (and the majority) of the new state constitution, Haskell
and Murray returned to Washington with the proposal for statehood. On November 16,
1907 President Theodore Roosevelt signed the proclamation establishing Oklahoma
as the nation's 46th state.
Although the first oil well in the United States
was completed July 1850 in the old Cherokee Nation near Salina, it was in the early
20th century the oil business really began to get underway. Huge pools of underground
oil were discovered in places like Glenpool near Tulsa. Many whites flooded into
the state to make money.
The Great Depression (1929-1939) brought hard
times to Oklahoma. Western Oklahoma was part of the Dust Bowl. Dust covered homes
and severe drought killed crops and livestock. Many people lost their jobs. Banks
failed and people lost their savings. About 60,000 people left Oklahoma, many headed
for California.
World War II (1939-1945) helped end the depression
as foods and fuels again came into great demand. Improved weather conditions and
better soil conservation practices helped farms to recover. Many state reforms also
occurred during this time in education, state finances, and criminal proceedings.
Between 1947 and 1970, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System was built.
It deepened and widened the Arkansas River, allowing large boats to travel through
Oklahoma. Tulsa, Muskogee and Catoosa ports have helped Oklahoma's economy.
In 1995 Oklahoma became the scene of one of
the worst acts of terrorism ever committed in U.S. History. On April 19, 1995, in
the Oklahoma City bombing, Gulf War veteran Timothy McVeigh bombed the Alfred P.
Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people, including 19 children. Timothy McVeigh
and Terry Nichols were the convicted perpetrators of the attack, although many believe
others were involved. Timothy McVeigh was later sentenced to death by lethal injection,
while his partner, Terry Nichols, who was convicted of 161 counts of first degree
murder received life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Oil made Oklahoma a rich state, but natural-gas
production has now surpassed it. Oil refining, meat packing, food processing, and
machinery manufacturing (especially construction and oil equipment) are important
industries. Minerals produced in Oklahoma include helium, gypsum, zinc, cement,
coal, copper, and silver.
Oklahoma's rich plains produce bumper yields
of wheat, as well as large crops of sorghum, hay, cotton, and peanuts. More than
half of Oklahoma's annual farm receipts are contributed by livestock products, including
cattle, dairy products, swine, and broilers.
Ohio Famous People
- Troy Aikman (1966 - )
Football player who led the Dallas Cowboys to 3 Super Bowl titles (1992,93,95);
lived in Henryetta.
- Garth Brooks (1962
- ) Famous Country/Western singer who has sold over 104 million albums; born in
Tulsa.
- Jeremy Castle (1974
- ) Country music singer/songwriter; born in Oklahoma City, raised in Blanchard.
- L. Gordon
Cooper Jr. (1927 - ) Astronaut; born in Shawnee.
- John Hope
Franklin (1915 - ) Author, born in Rentiesville.
- James Garner
(1928 - ) Famous actor; born in Norman.
- Vince Gill (1957 -
) Famous singer; born in Norman.
- Woody Guthrie
(1912 - 1967) Folk singer, guitarist, and composer. He published over 1,000
songs of social commentary; born in Okemah.
- Paul Harvey
(1918 - ) Broadcaster; born and raised in Tulsa.
- Toby Keith (1961 -
) Famous Country Western Singer; born in Clinton.
- Mickey Mantle (1931 - 1995) Baseball player. He was
a star player for the New York Yankees; born in Spavinaw.
- Reba McEntire (1955 - )
Famous Country music singer; born in Chockie.
- Chuck Norris
(1940 - ) Famous martial arts star and action movie star; born in Ryan.
- Patti
Page (1927 - ) Famous singer; born in Claremore.
- Brad Pitt (1963 - ) Actor, famous for movies such as Legends
of the Fall, Seven Years in Tibet and Meet Joe Black; born in Shawnee.
- Alice Mary Robertson (1854-1931) Educator and social worker.
She was the first woman from Oklahoma to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
(1921-1923).
- Blake Shelton (1976
- ) Famous Country/Western singer; grew up in Ada.
-
Maria Tallchief (1925 - ) Classical dancer and prima ballerina for the New
York City Ballet; born in Fairfax.
- James Francis "Jim" Thorpe
(1888 - 1953) An Olympic champion and professional football legend; born near Prague.