Oklahoma Turns 119

September 2026

On November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the proclamation joining Oklahoma and Indian Territories together as the 46th state in the Union. This November 16th marks 119 years since that day—not the 120th, as the round number might suggest. The math is simple once you do it: 2026 minus 1907 is 119, and the true 120th anniversary of Oklahoma statehood won’t arrive until November 16, 2027.

A Milestone Worth Watching For

That distinction is worth keeping in mind if you’re planning ahead: Oklahoma City and communities across the state tend to mark round-number anniversaries with extra fanfare, and 2027’s 120th is shaping up to be one of those years. Keep an eye on the Oklahoma Historical Society and downtown OKC event calendars as the date approaches.

A City Built Since Statehood

Oklahoma City itself predates statehood, having been settled during the Land Run of 1889, but it wasn’t until 1910—three years after statehood—that it became the state capital, when the seat of government moved from Guthrie. In the years since, it has grown from a frontier boomtown into the state’s largest city and a metro of well over a million people. However you mark the date, November 16th is a good excuse to explore a little Oklahoma history on your next trip through downtown OKC, from the State Capitol to the Oklahoma History Center.