November 16, 2022 – Oklahoma

On this day in 1907, Oklahoma became our 46th state! The land that is now Oklahoma became part of the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In the 1800s, the government relocated many Indian tribes to the area, and by 1900 more than 30 tribes had been moved to what was originally called Indian Territory. Today, Oklahoma has the highest density of indigenous languages in the U.S., with more than 40 distinct Native American languages spoken there. The new state was a major part of the emerging oil industry. For most of the 20th century, Tulsa was known as the “Oil Capital of the World”. In fact, the state’s capitol complex in Oklahoma City is the only state capitol grounds in the country that has active oil rigs! Oklahoma is also well-known for being in Tornado Alley. It’s the most tornado-prone region in the country, with an average of 62 tornadoes touching down there every year. During World War II, the small panhandle town of Boise City became the only town in American to have a bomb dropped on it. It wasn’t by enemy forces – the town was bombed accidentally by a U.S. bomber crew during a training mission. Thankfully, no one was hurt and there was very minimal damage. To mark the 50th anniversary of the incident, the bomber crew was invited back to Boise City, but they all declined. Learn more here.