Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

1889The Land Run of 1889: At noon on April 22, an estimated 50,000 settlers raced to claim two million acres of unassigned land in Indian Territory. Oklahoma City was born that afternoon as thousands staked claims where the Santa Fe Railroad crossed the North Canadian River.

1995Oklahoma City Bombing: A truck bomb detonated at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building killed 168 people, including 19 children. Timothy McVeigh was convicted and executed. The National Memorial and Museum now stands on the site.

1928Discovery of Oklahoma City Oil Field: The massive oil field beneath the city was tapped, with wells drilled even on the State Capitol grounds. Oklahoma City became one of the leading petroleum-producing cities in the world.

1907Oklahoma Statehood: Oklahoma became the 46th state, and Oklahoma City competed with Guthrie for the capital designation, winning the honor in a 1910 election that moved the seat of government.

1947Tinker Air Force Base Established: Tinker AFB became one of the largest Air Force maintenance and logistics centers in the world, anchoring the city's economy and establishing Oklahoma City as a major military hub.

2008OKC Thunder NBA Franchise: The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City, becoming the Thunder. The team's arrival catalyzed billions in downtown investment and put the city on the national sports map.

1930Dust Bowl Devastates Region: Oklahoma City and the surrounding region suffered catastrophic drought and dust storms throughout the 1930s, driving tens of thousands of Oklahomans to migrate westward.

1993MAPS Initiative Approved: Voters approved the Metropolitan Area Projects plan, a one-cent sales tax funding a new arena, canal, ballpark, and convention center. MAPS became a national model for civic self-investment.

2013Moore-Oklahoma City Tornado: An EF5 tornado struck the southern suburbs, killing 24 people and causing $2 billion in damage. It was one of the widest tornadoes ever recorded at 2.6 miles across.

1941Will Rogers World Airport Opens: Named for Oklahoma's beloved humorist, the airport became a key training facility during World War II and grew into the region's primary commercial aviation hub.