Today in Oklahoma History
2002 Ice Storm
Friday, February, 1, 2002 – A powerful winter storm produced rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow over parts of western and central Oklahoma on January 29-31, 2002. There were reports of tree damage, downed power lines and telephone lines, and power outages in some towns and cities. At one point after the storm, approximately 250,000 customers were left without power throughout the state. On February 1, 2002, President Bush declared a major disaster and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter ice storm. more...
Belle Starr murdered in Oklahoma
Sunday, February, 3, 1889 – The outlaw Belle Starr is killed when an unknown assailant fatally wounds the famous "Bandit Queen" with two shotgun blasts from behind. More...
Oklahoma City Sonic Boom Tests
Monday, February, 3, 1964 – The Oklahoma City sonic boom tests, also known as Operation Bongo II, refer to a controversial experiment in which 1,253 sonic booms were unleashed on Oklahoma City, Oklahoma over a period of six months in 1964. The experiment ran from February 3 through July 29 inclusive, intended to quantify the effects of transcontinental supersonic transport (SST) aircraft on a city. more...
Sun Dogs and Halos over Norman
Thursday, February, 10, 2005 – A combination of a late afternoon sun and a thin layer of high-level clouds produced some rare and spectacular optical displays in the late afternoon skies over Oklahoma. The displays, consisting of bright spots, arcs, and halos with rainbow-like colors, sent quite a few meteorologists scrambling for their text books on atmospheric optics, simply because some of the phenomena that were seen are so rare that even scientists in the area had never seen them before. more...
Battle of Middle Boggy Depot
Saturday, February, 13, 1864 – American Civil War -- While on an expedition in February 1864 to meet, defeat or destroy Confederate forces in Indian Territory, Union Major Charles Willette and his troops surprised a Confederate force at Middle Boggy Depot on February 13. Although poorly armed, the Rebels made a determined stand for a half hour before retiring. The Union forces killed 47 Confederates during this short fight. Fear of the arrival of fresh Confederate forces influenced the Federals to retire to Fort Gibson. During Colonel John F. Phillips's Indian Territory expedition, he and his men fought with and dispersed numerous Confederate forces. Middle Boggy Depot was, perhaps, the largest encounter during the expedition. more...
Tulsa Port of Catoosa Dedication
Saturday, February, 20, 1971 – On a cold February day, William Verity, President of Armco Steel Corporation gave the keynote speech at the dedication of the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. Seated on his left is Tulsa Mayor Robert J. LaFortune. To his right is Jacques Cunningham, master of ceremonies for the dedication. Mr. Cunningham was the first chairman of the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority. more...
Woody Guthrie writes *This Land is Your Land*
Friday, February, 23, 1940 – Folk singer Woody Guthrie writes one of his best-known songs, "This Land is Your Land." Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, in 1912, Guthrie lived and wrote of the real West, a place of hard-working people and harsh environments rather than romantic cowboys and explorers. More...
46th Star Added to U.S. Flag
Thursday, February, 27, 1908 – Star #46 was added to United States flag for Oklahoma. This was the official U.S. flag for 4 years (July 4, 1908 - July 3, 1912). more...
Oklahoma and the 19th Amendment
Saturday, February, 28, 1920 – On February 28, 1920, Oklahoma voted to ratify the 19th Amendment. By August of 1920, 36 states (including Oklahoma) ratified the amendment and it became law, ensuring that the right to vote could not be denied based on sex. The amendment reads: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." More ...
Alfalfa Bill Murray on cover of Time
Monday, February, 29, 1932 – One of the most colorful western politicians of his day, William "Alfalfa" Murray makes the cover of Time magazine after announcing his long-shot candidacy for the Presidency. More...