1682: French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle claimed
Oklahoma for France
1803: U.S. acquired most of Oklahoma from France in the Louisiana
Purchase
1830s - 1840s: The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole
called the Five Civilized Tribes: were forced to relocate from their
native lands by the U.S. government: into Oklahoma, known then as the
Indian Territory. Thousands of native Americans lost their lives on the
bloody marches to Oklahoma.
1842: Remaining Seminole Indians from Florida: moved to
Oklahoma
1860s: After the Civil War, because the Indians had sided with the
Confederacy, they faced ruin and forfeiture of their lands
1870s: An additional 25 tribes were moved to Oklahoma to reside on
federal lands
1872: The railroad crossed Oklahoma, and routes of commerce began to
open
1875: At the Battle of Washita, George Custer defeated
remaining Indian forces, and in general terms the Indian wars ended
1889: U.S. government opened all unassigned Oklahoma lands for
settlement, and thousands of settlers crossed the border to stake their
claims
1890: Oklahoma Territory created, coexisted with the Indian Territory
1907: Oklahoma became a state
1930s: Severe drought and the national economic depression ruined
most of Oklahoma's farmers
1959: Alcohol prohibition was repealed in the state
1971: The McClellen-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System opened,
connecting Tulsa and Oklahoma: to the Mississippi River
1990: Oklahoma became the first state to limit the terms of
legislators
1995: Terrorist bomb blew up the
Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, killing 168
people, and injuring hundreds more
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