Oklahoma History Oklahoma Land Runs & Settlement Era

Question 1

The first Oklahoma Land Run took place on April 22, 1889. What area was opened for settlement?

Accepted Answer

The Unassigned Lands (approximately 2 million acres in central Oklahoma)

Answer

The Land Run of 1889 opened approximately two million acres of Unassigned Lands in central Oklahoma to non-Native settlement.

Question 2

What term was used for settlers who entered the Unassigned Lands before the official starting gun on April 22, 1889?

Accepted Answer

Sooners

Answer

Settlers who illegally entered and claimed land before the official start were called 'Sooners,' which became the nickname for Oklahomans and the University of Oklahoma's mascot.

Question 3

What was the largest land run in Oklahoma history, opening the Cherokee Outlet in 1893?

Accepted Answer

The Cherokee Strip Land Run with approximately 100,000 participants

Answer

The Cherokee Strip Land Run of September 16, 1893 was the largest, with an estimated 100,000 participants racing to claim 6 million acres of the Cherokee Outlet.

Question 4

The Boomer movement of the 1870s-80s, led by figures like David Payne, pushed for what goal?

Accepted Answer

Opening the Unassigned Lands in Indian Territory to white settlement

Answer

The Boomer movement, led by David Payne and others, campaigned to open the Unassigned Lands of Indian Territory to white homesteaders.

Question 5

Guthrie and Oklahoma City were both established on the same day during the Land Run of 1889. What approximate populations did they reach within hours?

Accepted Answer

Both had populations of approximately 10,000-15,000 by nightfall

Answer

Both Guthrie and Oklahoma City went from empty prairie to tent cities of approximately 10,000-15,000 people within hours of the starting signal.

Oklahoma History Practice Test

Oklahoma History Practice Test

Oklahoma History Oklahoma Land Runs & Settlement Era