ABSTRACT
South central U.S. Capital: Oklahoma City. Major cities: Oklahoma City, Tulsa. The area became part of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Beginning in
the 1820s, Oklahoma became a destination for native American tribes removed from eastern states and became known as Indian Territory, which had no formal government. Most notable of the removals were the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeastern states, the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole people, whose harsh journey west is referred to as the Trail of Tears. Comanche, Osage, Plains peoples, and other groups were also sent to the area. On April 22, 1889, the Cherokee Outlet, or Cherokee Strip, was formed in the northwest, opening the area to white settlers, resulting in a “land run.” Another “land run” occurred with the formation of Oklahoma Territory in the central part May 2, 1890. Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state November 16, 1907.
