Today in Oklahoma History
Amateur Softball Association Moves to Oklahoma
Saturday, January, 1, 1966 – The Amateur Softball Association moved to Oklahoma City January 1, 1966 after having its offices in Newark, NJ. The decision to establish a Hall of Fame Building in OKC was made in January of 1965. The National Softball Hall of Fame was officially dedicated May 26, 1973 in Oklahoma City. The building was opened to the public July 1, 1973. more...
1st apperance of OU at Rose Bowl
Wednesday, January, 1, 2003 – The 2003 Rose Bowl game featured the first appearance by the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners beat the Washington State Cougars 34-14. more...
1st Commercial Barge to Port of Muskogee
Sunday, January, 3, 1971 – First commercial barge arrived at the Port of Muskogee up the newly opened Arkansas River Navigation System. The cargo is steel pipe manufactured by Republic Steel. more...
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Tuesday, January, 6, 1925 – Governor M.E. Trapp, in his State of the State Address recommended the creation of an agency of special investigators or state police to combat the outlaws. Thus the legislature appropriated $78,000 to establish the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, now known as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. more...
Carleta Latham
Sunday, January, 6, 1946 – On this day we remember Exploring Oklahoma History co-founder, Carleta Latham. Carleta was one of the driving forces and inspirations for our adventures into Oklahoma history. She loved traveling up and down Oklahoma's highways discovering all the historical markers along the way. We will always love and miss her. In loving memory: Carleta Latham (1946-2013)
Mine Explodes in Krebs
Thursday, January, 7, 1892 – A massive mine explosion leaves nearly 100 dead in Krebs, Oklahoma, on this day in 1892. The disaster, the worst mining catastrophe in Oklahoma's history, was mainly due to the mine owner's emphasis on profits over safety. more...
Prohibition Begins Nationwide
Friday, January, 16, 1920 – Prohibition in the United States (1920 - 1933) was the era during which the United States government outlawed the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It also includes the prohibition of alcohol by state action at different times, and the social-political movement to secure prohibition. At any time possession of liquor, wine or beer was illegal. Drinking alcohol was never technically illegal, but one who was drinking was liable for prosecution on the grounds that they possessed the alcohol they were drinking. more...
Jim Thorpe's Olympic Medals Restored
Tuesday, January, 18, 1983 – Back in 1913, Jim Thorpe was declared a professional and stripped of his Olympic Medals. After years of trying in October 1982, the IOC Executive Committee approved Thorpe's reinstatement. In a ceremony on January 18, 1983, two of Thorpe's children, Gale and Bill, were presented with commemorative medals more...
Governor Johnson Impeached
Monday, January, 21, 1929 – On this day Governor Henry S. Johnson was impeached and suspended from office. Governor Johnson was caught up in "Democratic Wrath" when the Republican party took several state offices including seats in the Supreme Court, a near majority in the lower House and substantial gains in the Senate. When the legislature met for its regular session in January 1929 a combination of Republicans and insurgent Democrats set in motion a second impeachment effort. Thirteen charges were presented to the Senate, eleven of which were accepted. Governor Johnston was suspended from office. Finally on March 20, the governor's ordeal ended with the Senate voting to remove him from office on the eleventh charge, that of general incompetency. He was acquitted of all others. more...
1st Commercial Tow to Port of Catoosa
Thursday, January, 21, 1971 – The First tow to Tulsa Port of Catoosa arrived at 2:20 pm. This was the first commercial tow to travel the full length of the Arkansas River Navigation System. The cargo was 650 tons of newsprint from the Bowater Paper Company. The newsprint was delivered for use in The Tulsa World newspaper. more...
Carl Albert Elected Speaker of the House
Thursday, January, 21, 1971 – With the retirement of Representative John W. McCormack, in January, 1971, Oklahoma's U.S. Representative, Carl Albert, was elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. more...
Gas Rig Explosion
Monday, January, 22, 2018 – A natural gas rig exploded killing five workers near Quinton. Three companies were later fined a total of $118,000 for exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards. The families of the workers later filed wrongful-death lawsuits.
National Cowboy Hall of Fame
Sunday, January, 23, 1955 – National Cowboy Hall of Fame established in 1955 to honor the American Cowboy and pioneers who settled the West. more...
{23rd not actual day. The Hall of Fame was established in January 1955, exact date is unknown at time of posting. If you know please contact us.}
Ben Kiehn
Sunday, January, 24, 1926 – On this day the State Bank of Bessie was robbed. Ben Kiehn gave his life to the cause of law and order, in defending that which was entrusted to his care against armed bandits. more...
10 Lost in OSU Plane Crash
Saturday, January, 27, 2001 – Ten members of the Oklahoma State University basketball family lost their lives in a plane crash near Strasburg, Colorado. Lost were OSU players Daniel Lawson and Nate Fleming, Oklahoma City broadcaster Bill Teegins, OSU athletic media relations coordinator Will Hancock, student assistant Jared Weiberg, director of basketball operations Pat Noyes, athletic trainer Brian Luinstra, broadcast engineer Kendall Durfey, and pilots Denver Mills and Bjorn Fahlstrom. Monuments at the crash site in colorado and the southwest lobby of Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater have been erected. more...