Oklahoma Day in United States

Oklahoma Day observes the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma. ©iStockphoto.com/Björn Kindler

What do people do?

A range of events are organized to celebrate the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma. These include special lessons at schools, exhibitions on the wildlife of the state and concerts. However, Oklahoma Day celebrations are generally low key.

Public life

On Oklahoma Day, some banks and financial institutions may be closed in the state of Oklahoma. However, public life is not generally affected. Public transit systems run to their normal schedules and stores and other businesses are open as usual. In other areas of the United States, April 22 is not a holiday and public life is not affected.

Background

The area, which is now the state of Oklahoma, has been inhabited since the end of the last ice age. There were permanent communities, such as at the Spiro-mounds from around AD 850. European explorers first visited the area during the 16th century. Following the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Indian Intercourse Act of 1834, thousands of Native Americans were removed from their ancestral lands and transported to Oklahoma, even though the area was already occupied by the Osage and Quapaw peoples.

In the middle of the 19th century, ranchers in Texas and Kansas found it difficult to meet the demands for food from the large cities. This lead to pressure to make more land available for farming and, in 1887, the Dawes Act removed control of much of the land in Oklahoma from Native Americans. This land was opened to European settlers from April 22, 1889. The anniversary of this date has become known as Oklahoma Day.

Symbols

The state flag of Oklahoma consists of a sky blue background with an image of an Osage Nation shield made of buffalo hide. The hide is decorated with six golden brown crosses, which represent stars and seven eagle feathers hang from the shield. The shield is covered by a calumet (peace pipe) and an olive branch. These are symbols of peace between the Native Americans and European settlers in the state. The word 'Oklahoma' is written in white letters under the shield. Other symbols of Oklahoma include the scissor-tailed flycatcher (a bird), mistletoe (a woody plant that grows on trees), buffalo (an animal), redbud (a tree), Barite rose (a rock) and Indian Blanket (a flower).

Oklahoma Day Observances

Other holidays in April 2008 in United States

• Pascua Florida Day (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)
• United Nations' Mine Awareness Day (Friday, April 4, 2008)
• United Nations' World Health Day (Monday, April 7, 2008)
• Father Damien Day (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)
• Tax Day (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)
• Emancipation Day (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)
• First day of Passover (Sunday, April 20, 2008)
• San Jacinto Day (Monday, April 21, 2008)
• Patriot's Day (Monday, April 21, 2008)
• Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)
• World Book and Copyright Day (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)
• Administrative Professionals Day (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)
• Arbor Day (Friday, April 25, 2008)
• Last day of Passover (Sunday, April 27, 2008)
• Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 27, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Monday, April 28, 2008)

Other calendars

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