98-559: The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a memorial site in Oklahoma City , Oklahoma , United States, that honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were affected by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. It is situated on the former site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building , which was destroyed in the bombing. The building was located on NW 5th Street between N. Robinson Avenue and N. Harvey Avenue. The national memorial
196-587: A Sirloin Stockade restaurant on the city's south side were murdered execution-style in the restaurant's freezer. An intensive investigation followed, and the three individuals involved, who also killed three others in Purcell, Oklahoma , were identified. One, Harold Stafford, died in a motorcycle accident in Tulsa not long after the restaurant murders. Another, Verna Stafford, was sentenced to life without parole after being granted
294-580: A bomb in front of the Murrah building . The building was destroyed (the remnants of which had to be imploded in a controlled demolition later that year), more than 100 nearby buildings suffered severe damage, and 168 people were killed. The site has been commemorated as the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Since its opening in 2000, over three million people have visited. Every year on April 19, survivors, families, and friends return to
392-618: A central business district left almost deserted by the Oil Bust of the early 1980s. The centerpiece of downtown is the newly renovated Crystal Bridge and Myriad Botanical Gardens, one of the few elements of the Pei Plan to be completed. In 2021, a massive new central park will link the gardens near the CBD and the new convention center to be built just south of it to the North Canadian River as part of
490-625: A design by Butzer Design Partnership, consisting of husband and wife Hans and Torrey Butzer, was chosen. In October 1997, President Bill Clinton signed law creating the Oklahoma City National Memorial to be operated by the Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust. The total cost of the memorial was $ 29.1 million ($ 55,140,783.18 in 2023): $ 10 million for the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial, $ 7 million for
588-470: A female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. One person households account for 30.5% of all households, and 8.7% of all households had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.11. According to the American Community Survey 1-year estimates in 2022, the median income for a household in
686-420: A massive works project known as "Core to Shore"; the new park is part of MAPS3, a collection of civic projects funded by a one-cent temporary (seven-year) sales tax increase. Oklahoma City has a temperate humid subtropical climate ( Köppen : Cfa), along with significant continental influences. The city features hot, humid summers and cool winters. Prolonged and severe droughts (sometimes leading to wildfires in
784-524: A month before it disbanded itself to join the advancing American army; its claimed territory later became part of the United States as a result of the Mexican Cession . The very short-lived California Republic was never recognized by the United States, Mexico or any other nation. The flag, featuring a silhouette of a California grizzly bear , a star, and the words "California Republic", became known as
882-544: A new trial after she had been sentenced to death. Roger Dale Stafford , considered the mastermind of the murder spree, was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in 1995. The Oklahoma City Police Department has a uniformed force of 1,169 officers and 300+ civilian employees. The department has a central police station and five substations covering 2,500 police reporting districts that average 1/4 square mile in size. On April 19, 1995,
980-691: A number of skirmishes with Confederate troops. By the spring of 1864 the Jones County rebels had taken effective control of the county from the Confederate government, raised an American flag over the courthouse in Ellisville, and sent a letter to Union General William T. Sherman declaring Jones County's independence from the Confederacy. Scholars have disputed whether the county truly seceded, with some concluding it did not fully secede. Lack of documentation makes
1078-653: A permanent capital under the Articles of Confederation . The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1787, and gave the Congress the power to exercise "exclusive legislation" over a district that "may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress , become the Seat of the Government of the United States." The 1st Congress met at Federal Hall in New York . In 1790, it passed
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#17328481811911176-644: A population greater than 600,000 residents and the first city in the Great Plains region to record a population greater than 600,000 residents. It is the largest municipal population of the Great Plains region (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota). In the 2020 census , there were 268,035 households in the city, out of which 81,374 households (30.4%) were individuals, 113,161 (42.2%) were opposite-sex married couples , 17,699 (6.6%) were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 2,930 (1.1%) were same-sex married couples or partnerships . According to
1274-530: A population of 1,396,445, and the Oklahoma City– Shawnee Combined Statistical Area had a population of 1,469,124, making it Oklahoma's largest municipality and metropolitan area by population. Oklahoma City's city limits extend somewhat into Canadian , Cleveland , and Pottawatomie counties. However, much of those areas outside the core Oklahoma County area are suburban tracts or protected rural zones ( watershed ). The city
1372-523: A rating of F5 on the Fujita scale before the Enhanced Fujita scale replaced it in 2007. While the tornado was in the vicinity of Bridge Creek to the southwest, wind speeds of 318 mph (510 km/h) were estimated by a mobile Doppler radar, the highest wind speeds ever recorded on Earth. A second top-of-the-scale tornado occurred on May 20, 2013; South Oklahoma City, along with Newcastle and Moore ,
1470-450: A water canal in the Bricktown entertainment district. Water taxis transport passengers within the district, adding color and activity along the canal. MAPS has become one of the most successful public-private partnerships undertaken in the U.S., exceeding $ 3 billion in private investment as of 2010. As a result of MAPS, the population in downtown housing has exponentially increased, with
1568-402: A width of 2.6 miles (4.2 km), making it the widest tornado ever recorded. Additionally, winds over 295 mph (475 km/h) were measured, one of the two highest wind records for a tornado. With 19.48 inches (495 mm) of rainfall, May 2015 was Oklahoma City's record-wettest month since record-keeping began in 1890. Across Oklahoma and Texas generally, there was a record flooding in
1666-558: Is based on days receiving more than one inch of rainfall. Oklahoma City has an active severe weather season from March through June, especially during April and May. Being in the center of what is colloquially referred to as Tornado Alley , it is prone to widespread and severe tornadoes, as well as severe hailstorms and occasional derechoes . Tornadoes occur every month of the year, and a secondary smaller peak also occurs during autumn, especially in October. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area
1764-622: Is in the middle of an active oil field, and oil derricks dot the capitol grounds. The federal government employs a large number of workers at Tinker Air Force Base and the United States Department of Transportation 's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (which house offices of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Department's Enterprise Service Center, respectively). Oklahoma City
1862-515: Is land and 19.23 square miles (49.8 km ) is water. Oklahoma City lies in the Sandstone Hills region of Oklahoma, known for hills of 250 to 400 feet (80 to 120 m) and two species of oak: blackjack oak ( Quercus marilandica ) and post oak ( Q. stellata ). The northeastern part of the city and its eastern suburbs fall into an ecological region known as the Cross Timbers . The city
1960-445: Is on the I-35 and I-40 corridors, one of the primary travel corridors south into neighboring Texas and New Mexico , north towards Wichita and Kansas City , west to Albuquerque , and east towards Little Rock and Memphis . Located in the state's Frontier Country region, the city's northeast section lies in an ecological region known as the Cross Timbers . The city was founded during
2058-411: Is one of the most tornado-prone major cities in the world, with about 150 tornadoes striking within the city limits since 1890. Since the time weather records have been kept, Oklahoma City has been struck by 13 violent tornadoes, eleven rated F/EF4 and two rated F/EF5. On May 3, 1999 , parts of Oklahoma City and surrounding communities were impacted by a tornado. It was the last U.S. tornado to be given
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#17328481811912156-521: Is ranked thirteenth on Forbes ' list of private companies. As of March 2024, the top 20 employers in the city were: Other major corporations with a significant presence (over 1,000 employees) in the city of Oklahoma City include the United Parcel Service , Farmers Insurance Group , Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Deaconess Hospital , Johnson Controls , MidFirst Bank , Rose State College, and Continental Resources. While not in
2254-530: Is roughly bisected by the North Canadian River (recently renamed the Oklahoma River inside city limits). The North Canadian once had sufficient flow to flood every year, wreaking destruction on surrounding areas, including the central business district and the original Oklahoma City Zoo. In the 1940s, a dam was built on the river to manage the flood control and reduce its level. In the 1990s, as part of
2352-460: Is the eighth-largest in the United States by area including consolidated city-counties ; it is the second-largest, after Houston , not including consolidated cities. The city is also the second-largest by area among state capital cities in the United States, after Juneau, Alaska . Oklahoma City has one of the world's largest livestock markets. Oil, natural gas, petroleum products , and related industries are its economy's largest sector. The city
2450-408: The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was destroyed by a fertilizer bomb manufactured and detonated by Timothy McVeigh . The blast and catastrophic collapse killed 168 people and injured over 680. The blast shock-wave destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a 340-meter radius, destroyed or burned 86 cars, and shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings, causing at least an estimated $ 652 million. McVeigh
2548-655: The Bear Flag and was later the basis for the official state flag of California. There was one de facto capital of the California Republic: The Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) had two capitals during its existence. The first capital was established February 4, 1861, in Montgomery , Alabama, and remained there until it was moved to Richmond , Virginia, on May 29, 1861, after Virginia seceded on May 23. The individual state capitals remained
2646-513: The City of Oklahoma City , and often shortened to OKC , is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma . The county seat of Oklahoma County , its population ranks 20th among United States cities and 8th in the Southern United States . The population grew following the 2010 census and reached 681,054 in the 2020 census . The Oklahoma City metropolitan area had
2744-506: The Clean Air Act . Oklahoma City neighborhoods are highly varied, with affluent historic neighborhoods located next to districts that have not wholly recovered from the economic and social decline of the 1970s and 1980s. The city is bisected geographically and culturally by the North Canadian River, which divides North Oklahoma City and South Oklahoma City. The north side is characterized by diverse and fashionable urban neighborhoods near
2842-416: The Fujita and Enhanced Fujita scales , and two rated F5 and EF5. Oklahoma City was settled on April 22, 1889, when the area known as the " Unassigned Lands " was opened for settlement in an event known as " The Land Run ". On April 26 of that year, its first mayor was elected, William Couch . Some 10,000 homesteaders settled in the area that would become the capital of Oklahoma. The town grew quickly;
2940-610: The Land Run of 1889 and grew to a population of over 10,000 within hours of its founding. It was the site of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building , in which 167 people died, the deadliest terror attack in U.S. history until the attacks of September 11, 2001 , and the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. Since weather records have been kept beginning in 1890, Oklahoma City has been struck by 14 violent tornadoes , 11 of which were rated F4 or EF4 on
3038-522: The Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Within two months of the settlers' rebellion and the declaration of an independent nation, President James Madison sent American forces to peaceably occupy the new republic. It was formally annexed by the United States in 1812 over the objections of Spain and the land was divided between the Territory of Orleans and Territory of Mississippi . During its brief existence,
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3136-708: The MAPS 3 proposal approved by voters in late 2009. Oklahoma City lies along one of the primary corridors into Texas and Mexico and is a three-hour drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex . The city is in the Frontier Country region in the state's center, making it ideal for state government. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 620.34 square miles (1,606.7 km ), of which 601.11 square miles (1,556.9 km )
3234-519: The Pei Plan , removed older structures but failed to spark much new development, leaving the city dotted with vacant lots used for parking. A notable exception was the city's construction of the Myriad Gardens and Crystal Bridge , a botanical garden and modernistic conservatory in the heart of downtown. Architecturally significant historic buildings lost to clearances were the Criterion Theater,
3332-687: The Residence Act , which established the national capital at a site along the Potomac River that would become Washington, D.C. For the next ten years, Philadelphia served as the temporary capital. There, Congress met at Congress Hall . On November 17, 1800, the 6th United States Congress formally convened in Washington, D.C. Congress has met outside of Washington only twice since: on July 16, 1987, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, to commemorate
3430-643: The War of 1812 , during the American Civil War in many Confederate states , and during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680–1692 in New Mexico . Twenty-two state capitals have been a capital longer than their state has been a state, since they served as the capital of a predecessor territory, colony, or republic. Boston , Massachusetts , has been a capital city since 1630; it is the oldest continuously running capital in
3528-408: The federal capital of the United States since 1800. Each U.S. state has its own capital city, as do many of its insular areas . Most states have not changed their capital city since becoming a state, but the capital cities of their respective preceding colonies, territories, kingdoms, and republics typically changed multiple times. There have also been other governments within the current borders of
3626-444: The international community . During its history as a sovereign nation ( Kingdom of Hawaii , 1795–1893; Republic of Hawaii , 1894–1898), five sites served as the capital of Hawaii: Annexed by the United States in 1898, Honolulu remained the capital, first of the Territory of Hawaii ( 1900 –1959), and then of the state ( since 1959 ). During its history as a sovereign nation ( Republic of Texas , 1836–1845), seven sites served as
3724-549: The 1928 discovery of oil within the city limits (including under the State Capitol), Oklahoma City became a major center of oil production. Post-war growth accompanied the construction of the Interstate Highway System , which made Oklahoma City a major interchange as the convergence of I-35 , I-40 , and I-44 . It was also aided by the federal development of Tinker Air Force Base after successful lobbying efforts by
3822-556: The 200th anniversary of ratification of the Constitution; and at Federal Hall National Memorial in New York on September 6, 2002, to mark the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks . Both meetings were ceremonial. Each state has a capital that serves as the seat of its government . Ten of the thirteen original states and 15 other states have changed their capital city at least once;
3920-463: The 2020 census, the racial composition of Oklahoma City was as follows: White or European American 49.5%, Hispanic or Latino 21.3%, Black or African American 13.8%, Asian 4.6%, Native American 2.8%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.2%, other race 0.4%, and two or more races (non-Hispanic) 7.6%. Its population has diversified since the 1940s census, where 90.4% was non-Hispanic white . An analysis in 2017 found Oklahoma City to be
4018-593: The 8th least racially segregated significant city in the United States. Of the 20 largest US cities, Oklahoma City has the second-highest percentage of the population reporting two or more races on the Census, 7.6%, second to 8.9% in New York City . Oklahoma City is the principal city of the eight-county Oklahoma City metropolitan statistical Area in Central Oklahoma and is the state's largest urbanized area. As of 2015,
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4116-654: The Baum Building, the Hales Building, and the Biltmore Hotel. In 1993, the city passed a massive redevelopment package known as the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS), intended to rebuild the city's core with civic projects to establish more activities and life in downtown. The city added a new baseball park ; a central library; renovations to the civic center , convention center , and fairgrounds; and
4214-761: The Creek national government met near Hot Springs which was then part of their new territory as prescribed in the Treaty of Cusseta. Because some Creeks fought with the Confederacy in the American Civil War , the Union forced the Creeks to cede over 3,000,000-acre (1,200,000 ha) - half of their land in what is now Arkansas. Served as the National capital after the American Civil War. It
4312-650: The Federal Army, sent for the "round up", fled to the remote settlements separated from the rest of the Cherokee Territory in Georgia and North Carolina, in order to remain in their homeland. In the 20th century, their descendants organized as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians ; its capital is at Cherokee, North Carolina , in the tribally-controlled Qualla Boundary . After Removal from their Alabama-Georgia homeland,
4410-646: The General Assembly, that the only true pronunciation of the name of the state, in the opinion of this body, is that received by the French from the Native Americans and committed to writing in the French word representing the sound. It should be pronounced in three (3) syllables, with the final "s" silent, the "a" in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables. The pronunciation with
4508-569: The Georgia state line, in order to evade the Georgia state militia. The log cabins, limestone springs, and park-like woods of Red Clay served as the capital until the Cherokee Nation was removed to Indian Territory ( Oklahoma ) on the Trail of Tears . Tahlequah, in present-day Oklahoma, served as the capital of the original Cherokee Nation after Removal . After the Civil War, a turbulent period for
4606-782: The Longhouse", was an alliance between the Five and later Six-Nations of Iroquoian language and culture of upstate New York . These include the Seneca , Cayuga , Onondaga , Oneida , Mohawk , and, after 1722, the Tuscarora Nations. Since the Confederacy's formation around 1450, the Onondaga Nation has held privilege of hosting the Iroquois Grand Council and the status of Keepers of the Fire and
4704-464: The Memorial Museum was dedicated. In 2004 it was transferred from the trust, to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation, designating it an affiliated area of the National Park System. The Oklahoma City National Memorial since its opening has seen over 4.4 million visitors to the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial and 1.6 million visitors to the Memorial Museum. The Memorial has an average of 350,000 visitors per year. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial consists of
4802-413: The Memorial Museum, $ 5 million for the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism and the rest for other costs. The federal government appropriated $ 5 million for construction with the state of Oklahoma matching that amount. More than $ 17 million in private donations was raised. On April 19, 2000, the fifth anniversary of the attack, the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial was dedicated. On February 19, 2001,
4900-412: The Nation which was involved in its own civil war resulting from pervasive anger and disagreements over removal from Georgia, the Cherokee Nation built a new National Capitol in Tahlequah out of brick. The building served as the capitol until 1907, when the Dawes Act finally dissolved the Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah became the county seat of Cherokee County, Oklahoma . The Cherokee National government
4998-406: The U.S. Federal Government, these capitals can be seen as officially recognized in some sense. New Echota, now near Calhoun , Georgia , was founded in 1825, realizing the dream and plans of Cherokee Chief Major Ridge . Major Ridge chose the site because of its centrality in the historic Cherokee Nation which spanned parts of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama, and because it was near
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#17328481811915096-450: The United States which were never officially recognized as legally independent sovereign entities; however, these nations did have de facto control over their respective regions during their existence. Prior to the independence of the United States from Great Britain , declared July 4, 1776 in the Declaration of Independence and ultimately secured in the American Revolutionary War , several congresses were convened on behalf of some of
5194-436: The United States with their own capitals, such as the Republic of Texas , Native American nations, and other unrecognized governments. The buildings in cities identified in the chart below served either as official capitals of the United States under the United States Constitution , or, prior to its ratification, sites where the Second Continental Congress or Congress of the Confederation met. The United States did not have
5292-414: The United States. Santa Fe, New Mexico , is the oldest capital city, having become capital in 1610 and interrupted only by the aforementioned Pueblo Revolt. An even older Spanish city, St. Augustine, Florida , served as a colonial capital from 1565 until about 1820, more than 250 years. The table below includes the following information: Whereas, confusion of practice has arisen in the pronunciation of
5390-423: The Wampum —which they still do at the official Longhouse on the Onondaga Reservation. Now spread over reservations in New York and Ontario , the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee preserve this arrangement to this day in what they claim to be the "world's oldest representative democracy." The Seneca Nation republic was founded in 1848 and has two capitals that rotate responsibilities every two years. Jimerson Town
5488-415: The area of its city limits can be misleading. Its urbanized zone covers roughly 244 square miles (630 km ) resulting in a 2013 estimated density of 2,500 per square mile (970/km ), compared with larger rural watershed areas incorporated by the city, which cover the remaining 377 sq mi (980 km ) of the city limits. Oklahoma City is one of the largest cities in the nation in compliance with
5586-402: The attack, Mayor Ron Norick appointed a task force to look into the creation of a permanent memorial where the Murrah building once stood. The Task Force called for 'a symbolic outdoor memorial', a Memorial Museum, and for the creation of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism. Six hundred and twenty four designs were submitted for the memorial. In July 1997
5684-400: The blast. Each church was repaired and both constructed memorials on their property. While not part of the official memorial they are open to the public. [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Park Service . Oklahoma City Oklahoma City ( / ˌ oʊ k l ə ˈ h oʊ m ə -/ ), officially
5782-419: The boundaries of the St. Michaels Chapter, adjacent to the Arizona and New Mexico state line. Window Rock hosts the Navajo Nation governmental campus which contains the Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Nation Supreme Court, the offices of the Navajo Nation President and Vice President, and many Navajo government buildings. There have been a handful of self-declared or undeclared nations within the current borders of
5880-453: The capital of Texas: Annexed by the United States in 1845, Austin remains the capital of the state of Texas. Some Native American tribes, in particular the Five Civilized Tribes , organized their states with constitutions and capitals in Western style. Others, like the Iroquois, had long-standing, pre-Columbian traditions of a 'capitol' longhouse where wampum and council fires were maintained with special status. Since they did business with
5978-445: The capital of the Republic of West Florida was: The Republic of Indian Stream was an unrecognized independent nation within the present state of New Hampshire . Before being annexed by the United States in 1848 (following the Mexican–American War ), a small portion of north-central California declared itself the California Republic , in an act of independence from Mexico, in 1846 (see Bear Flag Revolt ). The republic only existed
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#17328481811916076-438: The capital until 1832 when the state of Georgia outlawed Native American assembly in an attempt to undermine the Nation. Thousands of Cherokee would gather in New Echota for the annual National Councils, camping along the nearby rivers and holding long stomp dances in the park-like woods that were typical of many Southeastern Native American settlements. The Cherokee National council grounds were moved to Red Clay, Tennessee, on
6174-435: The capital was moved from Guthrie to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City was a significant stop on Route 66 during the early part of the 20th century; it was prominently mentioned in Bobby Troup 's 1946 jazz song " (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 " made famous by artist Nat King Cole . Before World War II , Oklahoma City developed significant stockyards , attracting jobs and revenue formerly in Chicago and Omaha, Nebraska . With
6272-483: The city center and sprawling suburbs further north. South Oklahoma City is generally more blue-collar working class and significantly more industrial, having grown up around the Stockyards and meat packing plants at the turn of the century. It is also the center of the city's rapidly growing Latino community. Downtown Oklahoma City , which has 7,600 residents, is seeing an influx of new private investment and large-scale public works projects, which have helped to revitalize
6370-493: The city is an anchor for the metro area. Fields colored light yellow denote that the population is a micropolitan statistical area. An insular area is a United States territory that is neither a part of one of the fifty states nor a part of the District of Columbia, the nation's federal district. Those insular areas with territorial capitals are listed below. Two of the 50 U.S. states, Hawaii and Texas, were once de jure sovereign states with diplomatic recognition from
6468-528: The city limits, other large employers within the Oklahoma City MSA include United States Air Force – Tinker AFB (27,000); University of Oklahoma (11,900); University of Central Oklahoma (2,900); and Norman Regional Hospital (2,800). List of capitals in the United States Population This is a list of capital cities of the United States , including places that serve or have served as federal, state, insular area, territorial, colonial and Native American capitals. Washington, D.C. has been
6566-429: The city was $ 63,713, and the median income for a family was $ 80,833. Married-couple families $ 99,839, and nonfamily households $ 40,521. The per capita income for the city was $ 35,902. 15.5% of the population and 11.2% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 20.1% of those under 18 and 10.6% of those 65 and older lived below the poverty line. In the 2000 census , Oklahoma City's age composition
6664-435: The citywide revitalization project known as MAPS, the city built a series of low-water dams, returning water to the portion of the river flowing near downtown. The city has three large lakes: Lake Hefner and Lake Overholser , in the northwestern quarter of the city; and the largest, Lake Stanley Draper , in the city's sparsely populated far southeast portion. The population density typically reported for Oklahoma City using
6762-404: The colonies of British America . However, these bodies did not address the question of independence from England, and therefore did not designate a national capital. The Second Continental Congress encompassed the period during which the United States declared independence, but had not yet established a permanent national capital. Before joining the United States as the fourteenth state, Vermont
6860-408: The confluence of the Conasauga and Coosawattee rivers. The town's layout was partly inspired by Ridge's many visits to Washington D.C. and to Baltimore, but also invoked traditional themes of the Southeastern ceremonial complex . Complete with the Council House, Supreme Court, Cherokee syllabary printing press, and the houses of several of the Nation's constitutional officers, New Echota served as
6958-501: The demand for additional residential and retail amenities, such as groceries, services, and shops. Since the completion of the MAPS projects, the downtown area has seen continued development. Several downtown buildings are undergoing renovation/restoration. Notable among these was the restoration of the Skirvin Hotel in 2007. The famed First National Center is also being renovated. Residents of Oklahoma City suffered substantial losses on April 19, 1995, when Timothy McVeigh detonated
7056-520: The director of the Chamber of Commerce Stanley Draper . In 1950, the Census Bureau reported the city's population as 8.6% black and 90.7% white. In 1959, the city government launched a "Great Annexation Drive" that expanded the city's area from 80 to 475.55 square miles (207.2 to 1,231.7 square kilometers) by the end of 1961, making it the largest U.S. city by land mass at the time. Patience Latting
7154-403: The fifth anniversary of the bombing. The museum was dedicated and opened 10 months later on February 19, 2001. On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh parked a Ryder rental truck filled with explosives in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and exploded it. A total of 168 people were killed, including many children, and the entire north face of the building was destroyed. Months after
7252-468: The following segments on 3.3 acres (13,000 m) and is accessible day or night. We come here to remember Those who were killed, those who survived and those who changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity. Two churches were located across the street from the Murrah Building. Both were heavily damaged by
7350-408: The last state to move its capital city was Oklahoma in 1910. In the following table, the "Since" column shows the year that the city began serving as the state's capital (or the capital of the entities that preceded it). The MSA/μSA and CSA columns display the population of the metro area the city is a part of, and should not be construed to mean the population of the city's sphere of influence or that
7448-936: The latter part of the month . In the 2010 census , there were 579,999 people, 230,233 households, and 144,120 families in the city. The population density was 956.4 inhabitants per square mile (321.9/km ). There were 256,930 housing units at an average density of 375.9 per square mile (145.1/km ). By the 2020 census , its population grew to 681,054. Of Oklahoma City's 579,999 people in 2010, 44,541 resided in Canadian County, 63,723 lived in Cleveland County, 471,671 resided in Oklahoma County, and 64 resided in Pottawatomie County. In 2010, there were 230,233 households, 29.4% of which had children under 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 13.9% had
7546-450: The memorial to read the names of each person lost. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. The "Core-to-Shore" project was created to relocate I-40 one mile (1.6 km) south and replace it with a boulevard to create a landscaped entrance to the city. This also allows the central portion of the city to expand south and connect with the shore of the Oklahoma River. Several elements of "Core to Shore" were included in
7644-551: The metro area was the 41st largest in the nation based on population. The Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020 reported that the Southern Baptist Convention was the city and metropolitan area's most prominent Christian tradition with 213,008 members, Christianity being the area's predominant religion. Non/interdenominational Protestants were the second largest tradition with 195,158 members. The Roman Catholic Church claimed 142,491 adherents throughout
7742-521: The metropolitan region and Pentecostals within the Assemblies of God USA numbered 48,470. The remainder of Christians in the area held to predominantly Evangelical Christian beliefs in numerous evangelical Protestant denominations. Outside of Christendom, there were 4,230 practitioners of Hinduism and 2,078 Mahayana Buddhists . An estimated 8,904 residents practiced Islam during this study. Law enforcement claims Oklahoma City has traditionally been
7840-506: The monthly daily average ranging from 39.2 °F (4.0 °C) in January to 83.0 °F (28.3 °C) in July. Extremes range from −17 °F (−27 °C) on February 12, 1899 to 113 °F (45 °C) on August 11, 1936, and August 3, 2012 ; The last sub-zero (Fahrenheit) reading was −14 °F (−26 °C) on February 16, 2021. Temperatures reach 100 °F (38 °C) on 10.4 days of
7938-610: The name of our state and it is deemed important that the true pronunciation should be determined for use in oral official proceedings. And, whereas, the matter has been thoroughly investigated by the State Historical Society and the Eclectic Society of Little Rock, which have agreed upon the correct pronunciation as derived from history, and the early usage of the American immigrants. Be it therefore resolved by both houses of
8036-433: The population doubled between 1890 and 1900. Early leaders of the development of the city included Anton H. Classen , John Wilford Shartel , Henry Overholser , Oscar Ameringer , Jack C. Walton , Angelo C. Scott , and James W. Maney . By the time Oklahoma was admitted to the Union in 1907, Oklahoma City had surpassed Guthrie , the territorial capital, as the new state's population center and commercial hub. Soon after,
8134-492: The same in the Confederacy as they had been in the Union (U.S.A.), although as the advancing Union Army used those cities for military districts, some of the Confederate governments were relocated or moved out of state, traveling along with secessionist armies . In 1863 and 1864, Jones County, Mississippi revolted against Confederate rule and became practically independent under the name Free State of Jones . The Free State fought
8232-600: The situation difficult to assess. The rebellion in Jones County has been variously characterized as consisting of local skirmishes to being a full-fledged war of independence. Most of the original Thirteen Colonies had their capitals occupied or attacked by the British during the American Revolutionary War . State governments operated where and as they could. The City of New York was occupied by British troops from 1776 to 1783. A similar situation occurred during
8330-624: The state of Tennessee. Franklin was never officially admitted into the Union of the United States and existed for only four years. The State of Muskogee was a Native American state in Spanish Florida created by the Englishman William Augustus Bowles , who was its "Director General", author of its Constitution, and designer of its flag. It consisted of several tribes of Creeks and Seminoles . It existed from 1799 to 1803. It had one capital: The Republic of West Florida
8428-600: The territory of the notorious Juárez Cartel , but the Sinaloa Cartel has been reported as trying to establish a foothold in Oklahoma City. There are many rival gangs in Oklahoma City, one whose headquarters has been established in the city, the Southside Locos, traditionally known as Sureños . Oklahoma City also has its share of violent crimes, particularly in the 1970s. The worst occurred in 1978 when six employees of
8526-411: The vicinity) and hefty rainfall leading to flash flooding and flooding occur regularly. Consistent winds, usually from the south or south-southeast during the summer, help temper the hotter weather. Consistent northerly winds during the winter can intensify cold periods. Severe ice storms and snowstorms happen sporadically during the winter. The average temperature is 61.4 °F (16.3 °C), with
8624-594: The year, 90 °F (32 °C) on nearly 70 days, and fail to rise above freezing on 8.3 days. The city receives about 35.9 inches (91.2 cm) of precipitation annually, of which 8.6 inches (21.8 cm) is snow. The report "Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment" ( NCA ) from 2013 by NOAA projects that parts of the Great Plains region can expect up to 30% (high emissions scenario based on CMIP3 and NARCCAP models) increase in extreme precipitation days by mid-century. This definition
8722-406: Was 25.5% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males. Oklahoma City has experienced significant population increases since the late 1990s. It is the first city in the state to record
8820-572: Was a short-lived nation that broke away from the territory of Spanish West Florida in 1810. It comprised the Florida Parishes of the modern state of Louisiana and the Mobile District of the modern states of Mississippi and Alabama . (The Republic of West Florida did not include any part of the modern state of Florida .) Ownership of the area had been in dispute between Spain and the United States, which claimed that it had been included in
8918-675: Was an independent republic known as the Vermont Republic (1777–1791). Three cities served as the capital of the Republic: The current capital of the State of Vermont is Montpelier . The State of Franklin was an autonomous, secessionist United States territory created not long after the end of the American Revolution from territory that later was ceded by North Carolina to the federal government. Franklin's territory later became part of
9016-567: Was authorized on October 9, 1997, by President Bill Clinton 's signing of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Act of 1997. It was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places the same day. The memorial is administered by Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation, with National Park Service staff to help interpret the memorial for visitors. The memorial was formally dedicated on April 19, 2000,
9114-473: Was convicted and subsequently executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. The economy of Oklahoma City, once just a regional power center of government and energy exploration, has since diversified to include the sectors of information technology, services , health services , and administration. The city is headquarters to two Fortune 500 companies: Expand Energy and Devon Energy , as well as being home to Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores , which
9212-417: Was elected Mayor of Oklahoma City in 1971, becoming the city's first female mayor. Latting was also the first woman to serve as mayor of a U.S. city with over 350,000 residents. Like many other American cities, the center city population declined in the 1970s and 1980s as families followed newly constructed highways to move to newer housing in nearby suburbs. Urban renewal projects in the 1970s, including
9310-670: Was founded in the 1960s following the formation of the Allegheny Reservoir . The Senecas also have an administrative longhouse in Steamburg but do not consider that location to be a capital. Window Rock ( Navajo : Tségháhoodzání ), Arizona, is a small city that serves as the seat of government and capital of the Navajo Nation (1936–present), the largest territory of a sovereign Native American nation in North America. It lies within
9408-541: Was hit by an EF5 tornado. The tornado was 0.5 to 1.3 miles (0.80 to 2.09 km) wide and killed 23 people. On May 31, less than two weeks after the May 20 event, another outbreak affected the Oklahoma City area. Within Oklahoma City, the system spawned an EF1 and an EF0 tornado, and in El Reno to the west, an EF3 tornado occurred. This lattermost tornado , which was heading in the direction of Oklahoma City before it dissipated, had
9506-631: Was probably named after Ocmulgee , on the Ocmulgee river in Macon , a principle Coosa and later Creek town built with mounds and functioning as part of the Southeastern ceremonial complex . However, there were other traditional Creek "mother-towns" before removal. The Ocmulgee mounds were ceded illegally in 1821 with the Treaty of Indian Springs . The Iroquois Confederacy or Haudenosaunee , which means "People of
9604-632: Was re-established in 1938 and Tahlequah remains the capital of the modern Cherokee Nation ; it is also the capital of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians . Approximately four to eight hundred Cherokees escaped removal because they lived on a separated tract, purchased later with the help of Confederate Colonel William Holland Thomas , along the Oconaluftee River deep in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Some Cherokees fleeing
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