History of Oklahoma

The history of Oklahoma refers to the history of the state of Oklahoma and the land that the state now occupies. Areas of Oklahoma east of its panhandle were acquired in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, while the Panhandle was not acquired until the U.S. land acquisitions following the Mexican–American War (1846–1848).

Most of Oklahoma was set aside as Indian Territory, with the general borders of the Indian Territory being formed in 1834 from the Indian Intercourse Act. It was opened for general settlement in 1889. The "Sooners" were settlers who arrived before this period of official authorization. From 1890 to 1907 Oklahoma split into two territories known as Oklahoma Territory in the west and Indian Territory in the east. Oklahoma became the 46th state to enter the union on November 16, 1907. Early on in Oklahoma's statehood, it was primarily a ranching and farming state, with oil being a major economic producer as well.