Oklahoma is a state located in the south-central region of the United States. It is bordered by Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northeast, Arkansas to the east, Texas to the south and west, and New Mexico to the west. Oklahoma is the 20th most extensive and the 28th most populous of the 50 United States. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people". It is also known informally by its nickname, The Sooner State, in reference to the non-Native settlers who staked their claims on the land before the official opening date of lands in the western Oklahoma Territory or before the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889, which increased European-American settlement in the eastern Indian Territory.
The area now known as Oklahoma was first settled by Native Americans, including the Caddo, Comanche, Osage, and Kiowa. In the early 19th century, the United States government began to negotiate treaties with these tribes to obtain land for settlement by European Americans. In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the relocation of Native American tribes from their homelands in the southeastern United States to Indian Territory, which was located in what is now Oklahoma.
The first wave of settlers to Oklahoma arrived in the late 1800s. These settlers were mostly farmers and ranchers who were attracted to the area by the promise of free land. The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land in the Oklahoma Territory. The land rush of 1889 saw thousands of settlers flock to Oklahoma in search of a new life.
In 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state to join the Union. The state was divided into two parts, the Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory. The Oklahoma Territory was made up of the western half of the state, while the Indian Territory was made up of the eastern half. The two territories were combined to form the state of Oklahoma in 1907.
Oklahoma has a rich and diverse history. The state has been home to many different Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole. The state has also been home to many different European settlers, including French, Spanish, and American settlers. The state has also been home to many different cultures, including African American, Mexican American, and Native American cultures.
Oklahoma has a long and varied history of industry and commerce. The state has been home to many different industries, including oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The state has also been home to many different businesses, including banks, retail stores, and restaurants.
Oklahoma has a long and proud history of education. The state has been home to many different universities, including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tulsa. The state has also been home to many different public and private schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools.
Oklahoma has a long and proud history of sports. The state has been home to many different professional sports teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, the Oklahoma City Dodgers of the MLB, and the Oklahoma City Energy of the USL. The state has also been home to many different college sports teams, including the Oklahoma Sooners of the Big 12 Conference and the Oklahoma State Cowboys of the Big 12 Conference.
Oklahoma has a long and proud history of culture and the arts. The state has been home to many different museums, galleries, and theaters, including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Oklahoma City Zoo, and the Oklahoma City Ballet. The state has also been home to many different music festivals, including the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival.
Oklahoma has a long and proud history of being a great place to live. The state has been home to many different