November 16: Oklahoma

On this date in 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state to enter the union.

Oklahoma Banner

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Seal of Oklahoma

The Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma, 1907. The seal has a star with five rays holding the seals of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

Flag, 1908

Color illustration of a 46-Star United States flag. The additional star represents the state of Oklahoma. This flag was in use from July 04, 1908 until July 3, 1912. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

Removal of the Five Tribes to Oklahoma

A map of the southeastern United States showing the lands of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek or Muscogee, and Seminole), indicating the dates of removal to Indian Territory (eventually becoming Oklahoma) under the Indian Removal Act of 1830. From the Maps ETC website.

Oklahoma and Indian Territories, 1892

A map from 1892 of Oklahoma and Indian Territories, showing railways, the county of Beaver in the northwest, the tribal divisions, major cities and towns, terrain, and rivers. Map from the Maps ETC website.

Oklahoma and Indian Territory, 1903

A map from 1903 of the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory prior to statehood (November 16, 1907), showing the boundary between the territories, the territorial capitals of Tahlequah (Indian Territory) and Guthrie (Oklahoma Territory), counties and tribe lands, principal cities and towns, railroads, mountains, and rivers. Map from the Maps ETC website.

Oklahoma Map, 1909

A map from 1909 of Oklahoma showing the capital of Guthrie (moved to Oklahoma City on June 11, 1910), principal cities and towns, railroads, and rivers. Map from the Maps ETC website.

Oklahoma City on Opening Day

Oklahoma City was settled on April 22, 1889, when the area known as the “unassigned lands” was opened for settlement in “The Oklahoma Land Run.” Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City was settled on April 22, 1889, when the area known as the “unassigned lands” was opened for settlement in “The Oklahoma Land Run.” Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

William Lewis Couch

William Lewis Couch (November 20, 1850 – April 21, 1890), a native of North Carolina and later a resident of Kansas, was best known as a leader of the Boomer Movement and as the first provisional mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

American Bison

The American Bison is the state mammal of Oklahoma. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

Scissortailed Flycatcher

The scissortailed flycatcher is the Oklahoma state bird. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

Strawberry

The strawberry is the Oklahoma state fruit. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.

Wild Turkey

The wild turkey is the Oklahoma state game bird. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.