History

More than 70 Oklahoma veterans were honored for their service in an October ceremony in Washington, D.C.

How does one species of fruit fly turn into 800? How can environmental change and a differing food supply cause finches’ bills to change size and shape?

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 masterpiece “Psycho” is an oft-watched film to this day around Halloween, but did you know a native Oklahoman stars in the film?

Pumpkin carving is a Halloween tradition, and traditions always have a story behind them.

In 1910, the state capitol moved to Oklahoma City after the state seal was supposedly stolen from the original state capital in Guthrie.

The Cherokee Nation elected its first female chief, Wilma Mankiller, 30 years ago.

In the late 1800s, an unsung hero of life on the farm was the rough and tough cowgirl. No woman in America straddled the worlds of both Wild West shows and rodeos quite like Lucille Mulhall. Born in 1885, Lucille was raised on a family farm in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory. By the age of 10, she was entertaining crowds at the mayor’s request.

Last month, a note dated September 21, 1933, was found during ongoing renovations at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The note, scribbled on an envelope from the Game and Fish Department, listed names of individuals and stated, “The above worked in this place on above date.”

The first record of a hot air balloon flight carrying human passengers took place in France in 1783. Launched by the Montgolfier brothers, its flight lasted 25 minutes and traveled over five miles.

Oklahoma takes pride in its Native American history and culture, especially the Cherokee Nation.

Before the Land Rush of 1889, Reverend Sylvester Morris, a Methodist missionary, owned what is now the oldest house standing in Tulsa. The simple, side-gabled house dates back to 1885.

Oklahoma never fails to astonish us when it comes to history.

The birthplace of “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” is a perfect destination for classic summer activities.

Fifty years and six months ago, millions of television viewers tuned in to watch the crowning of small-town Oklahoma girl Jane Jayroe as Miss America in 1967.

Next year marks the 90th anniversary of the USS Los Angeles’ historic flight over downtown Tulsa. The aircraft was known as a Zeppelin and its maximum speed was 79 miles per hour.

A vast civilization once stood on the banks of the Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma. Initially a small farming village, Spiro Mounds fueled its expansion and became one of the most important regional centers in the Mississippian culture. Spiro’s trade network spread from the Rocky Mountains to the Virginia coast and from the Great Lakes to Florida’s Gulf Coast.

If you’re from Catoosa or surrounding areas, you know “Blue” as the friendly cement whale with a toothy grin wading in an offset pond. The waterfront structure has become one of the most recognizable attractions on Route 66.

James Herman Banning was born in Canton, Oklahoma Territory, on Nov. 5, 1900 on an Oklahoma homestead to caring parents Riley and Cora Banning.

The original driller statue first appeared in Tulsa in the 1950s during the International Petroleum Exposition (IPE). The early incarnations of the driller were built for temporary display, only appearing during an IPE.

Historic Fort Gibson was established in 1824 and was located farther west than any other US military post in existence. The remote region was truly the western frontier.

For each item on display at the Oklahoma History Center, hundreds more are in storage with every piece acting as a portal to the history of a notable person or a big story.

In 1950, the world’s first yield sign was placed at the corner of First Street and Columbia Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The intersection was believed to be the most dangerous in Tulsa, and Officer Clinton Riggs, Tulsa native and police officer, developed a new idea to alleviate collisions.

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Genealogy is more popular than ever as it serves as a useful tool to learn more about ourselves in present time. Since 1893, the Oklahoma Historical Society has been collecting resources to help Oklahomans learn about their family trees.

The most notorious outlaws of yesteryear Oklahoma will forever live in infamy.

In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a 56-line poem that changed Christmas forever. Now known as “The Night Before Christmas,” Moore’s poem created the modern image of Santa Claus.

Oklahoma native Gayla Peevey is the famous voice behind the 1953 hit song, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

When people think of Oklahoma and its natural resources, it’s likely that oil comes to mind. However, it was a different black gold that fueled Indian Territory and present-day Oklahoma’s early economic growth — coal.

In 1909, oilman Bill Skirvin thought Oklahoma City needed a grand hotel.

Tulsa’s Hex House was inspired by one of Oklahoma spookiest, true stories.

As a teenager, Jack Zink built his first race car from leftover spare car parts. He quickly stepped up to stock and midget cars while earning a degree in engineering at Oklahoma State University. Before his racing career ended, Jack’s teams won the Indy 500 twice, in 1955 and 1956, created Pontiac NASCAR, and put the first turbine-powered race car on the track at Indy.

S&H Green Stamps were highly popular U.S. trading stamps from 1930s to the late 1980s. The stamps were distributed as part of a rewards program operated by the Sperry & Hutchison company. The rewards catalog was the largest publication in America with the company distributing three times more stamps as the U.S. Postal Service.