OKLAHOMA

State of Oklahoma

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Derived from the Choctaw Indian words okla humma, meaning "land of the red people." NICKNAME: The Sooner State. CAPITAL: Oklahoma City. ENTERED UNION: 16 November 1907 (46th). SONG: "Oklahoma!" POEM: "Howdy Folks." MOTTO: Labor omnia vincit (Labor conquers all things). FLAG: On a blue field, a peace pipe, and an olive branch cross an Osage warrior's shield, which is decorated with small crosses and from which seven eagle feathers descend; the word "Oklahoma" appears below. OFFICIAL SEAL: Each point of a five-pointed star incorporates the emblem of an Indian nation: (clockwise from top) Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, Creek, and Cherokee. In the center, a frontiersman and Indian shake hands before the goddess of justice; behind them are symbols of progress, including a farm, train, and mill. Surrounding the large star are 45 small ones and the words "Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma 1907." ANIMAL: American buffalo (bison). BIRD: Scissor-tailed flycatcher. FISH: White bass (sand bass). REPTILE: Collared lizard (mountain boomer). FLORAL EMBLEM: Mistletoe. TREE: Redbud. GRASS: Indian grass. STONE: Barite rose (rose rock). LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 6 AM CST = noon GMT.