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Francisco Vásquez de Coronado first explored the
region for Spain in 1541. The U.S. acquired most of Oklahoma in
1803 in the Louisiana Purchase from France; the Western
Panhandle region became U.S. territory with the annexation of
Texas in 1845.
Set aside as Indian Territory in 1834, 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.
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.
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.
Tourist attractions include the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in
Oklahoma City, the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, the
Cherokee Cultural Center with a restored Cherokee village, the
restored Fort Gibson Stockade near Muskogee, the Lake Texoma
recreation area, pari-mutuel horse racing at Remington Park in
Oklahoma City, and Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw. |
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