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On this day in history, Nov. 16, 1907, Oklahoma joins Union as 46th state

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The state of Oklahoma, once consisting of vast tracts of sparse “unassigned lands” in the Great Plains, joined the Union on this day in history, Nov. 16, 1907. 

“Oklahoma has become a state, standing on full equity with her elder sisters, and her future is assured by her great natural resources,” President Theodore Roosevelt announced to Congress days later. 

As the nation’s 46th state, Oklahoma became the first new territory to achieve statehood since Utah in 1896. 

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Oklahoma would be followed by New Mexico and Arizona in 1912 to complete the contiguous 48 states — then Alaska and Hawaii to give the nation the 50 United States it enjoys today.

The United States briefly flew a 46-star flag, from July 4, 1908, until July 4, 1912, before it was replaced by the more familiar World War II-era 48-star flag.

That later version of Old Glory represented the nation for nearly a half century. 

The start of the Oklahoma Land Run is shown at high noon as settlers rush to claim the Unassigned Lands, Oklahoma, April 22, 1889. 

The start of the Oklahoma Land Run is shown at high noon as settlers rush to claim the Unassigned Lands, Oklahoma, April 22, 1889. 
(Photo by Barney Hillerman/Underwood Archives/Getty Images)

Oklahoma was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. It was born from the most fevered land rush in American history, the Land Run of 1889. 

“President Benjamin Harrison, who took office on March 4, issued the proclamation on March 23, 1889, opening the unassigned lands,” according to an account on the website of Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

“Across the nation, prospective settlers began hitching their teams to wagons and loading aboard their families and scant worldly goods.”

“It is rumored the opening on the lands would be Saturday, April 20, 1889. Being a religious man, Harrison was afraid [that] claimants would be too tired to attend church on Sunday, so the opening was reset for Monday, April 22, 1889.”

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Under an earlier law, the Homestead Act of 1862, legal settlers could claim 160 acres of public land — for free — if they lived on and improved the land for five years.

“The ink was hardly dry on Harrison’s March 23, 1889, proclamation before Oklahoma settlement colonies were being formed in major U.S. cities,” writes the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Historical flag of the United States of America. The 46-Star American flag became official on July 4, 1908, reflecting Oklahoma's admission to the Union in 1907. It was flown until 1912. 

Historical flag of the United States of America. The 46-Star American flag became official on July 4, 1908, reflecting Oklahoma’s admission to the Union in 1907. It was flown until 1912. 
(Photo by Encyclopaedia Britannica/UIG Via Getty Images)

“Across the nation, prospective settlers began hitching their teams to wagons and loading aboard their families and scant worldly goods. Others saddled their fastest horses or caught trains for what they considered to be the most advantageous point of entry.”

The hopeful Oklahoma settlers who gathered in the boomtowns quickly became known as “boomers.” Those who rushed the land illegally too soon were derided as “sooners.”

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The Oklahoma Historical Society describes in further detail “the great dramatic moment” at noon on April 22 when starting signals were fired off in the settler gathering points.

“In some instances (the signal) was given by a blue-clad military officer firing his pistol or by his trumpeter, at times by a citizen firing his rifle in the air, or, as at Fort Reno, by the boom of a cannon. All produced the same results — a tumultuous avalanche of wagons and horsemen surging forward all in one breathtaking instant.”

The settlers began lobbying for statehood almost immediately, according to several accounts of Oklahoma history. 

Oklahoma Sooner Schooner makes a run after a touchdown during a game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Oct. 30, 2021, at Gaylord Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Sooner Schooner makes a run after a touchdown during a game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Oct. 30, 2021, at Gaylord Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.
(Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Despite the feverish land rush, vast Oklahoma is still a state of wide-open spaces — a testament to just how large the nation remains.

“Oklahoma’s settlement began with a tumultuous avalanche of wagons and horsemen surging forward all in one breathtaking instant.”

Oklahoma today has roughly 4 million residents — about half the population of New York City — spread across a sprawling 69,000 square miles. 

The state is larger in size than major European nations such as Greece (51,000 square miles), England (50,000 square miles) and Portugal (34,000 square miles). 

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The nation’s most densely populated state, New Jersey, has 9.3 million residents packed into just 8,700 square miles. 

The April 1889 land rush is reenacted on Saturdays each autumn when the horse-drawn “Sooner Schooner” — a replica of a Conestoga wagon — races across the field before the University of Oklahoma Sooners football team takes the field.

Guthrie, Indian Territory, Land Rush 1889 — Oklahoma Sooners Land Rush. "Although apparently never officially designated as such by statute or resolution, Oklahoma has since been known as the Sooner State."

Guthrie, Indian Territory, Land Rush 1889 — Oklahoma Sooners Land Rush. “Although apparently never officially designated as such by statute or resolution, Oklahoma has since been known as the Sooner State.”
(Photo by Walters & Evington/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

“Boomer Schooner” is the university fight song and a popular 1-2 chant — Boomer! Sooner! — at sporting events today. 

The song was written in 1905, showing that Oklahoman residents embraced the legacy even before they achieved statehood. 

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“The early legal settlers of Oklahoma Territory held a very low opinion of sooners,” the Oklahoma Historical Society reports. 

“That began to change by 1908 when the University of Oklahoma adopted the name for its football team … Although apparently never officially designated as such by statute or resolution, Oklahoma has since been known as the Sooner State.”

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/this-day-history-nov-16-1907-oklahoma-joins-union-46th-state

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Lifestyle

Sunday brunch frittata featuring garden-fresh vegetables: Try it this weekend for family and friends

For many American families, the arrival of Sunday is the time to slow down a bit, attend church services, catch a sporting event, work around the house or visit with family and friends. 

Another quintessential part of the day for millions of people is enjoying Sunday brunch

If you’re looking to create a budget-friendly Sunday brunch dish with a bit of flair for your family and friends, a chef based in Philadelphia shared his choice pick that you can make at home. 

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Use this shopping list and step-by-step guidance to whip up a tasty homemade Sunday brunch dish without much fuss or muss.

Let’s dig right in!

‘Everything but the Kitchen Sink’ Frittata by Thomas Harkins of Bank & Bourbon, Loews Philadelphia Hotel

If you have leftovers you’re looking to repurpose, this Sunday egg-based dish could be a winner. 

Thomas Harkins, executive chef, Bank & Bourbon — located in the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia — recommended making his “Everything but the Kitchen Sink Frittata.” 

eggs cracked into bowl

You’ll need 12 whole large eggs for this Sunday brunch recipe from Thomas Harkins. To start, whip the eggs in a bowl and set them aside.  (iStock)

He told Fox News Digital that he loves making this on Sundays using leftovers from the night before — and anything from his garden that he has on hand at the time.

Ingredients

12 whole large eggs

2 tablespoons butter

Corn shucked

Tomatoes, medium-diced

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Green beans chopped

Green bell peppers medium-diced

¼ cup salsa, store-bought

Leftover protein, usually steak or chicken or salmon, medium-diced

¼ cup cheese (the chef usually has goat cheese or cheddar cheese on hand)

Different kinds of peppers

This Sunday brunch recipe calls for green bell peppers — as well as other healthy vegetables and ingredients.  (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Directions

In a 10-inch nonstick pan on medium flame, add butter until it melts and coat the pan.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Whip eggs in bowl and set aside.

Add all of the vegetables and the pick of proteins that you have on hand and want to use.

Cook until hot on the stovetop all the way through. 

Add beaten eggs. 

Stir in with mixture to incorporate. 

chef Thomas Harkins

Thomas Harkins is executive chef of Bank & Bourbon at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The historic hotel is across from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and located in the heart of Center City, within walking distance of the Reading Terminal Market, Independence Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Barnes Foundation, among other popular attractions.  (Loews Philadelphia Hotel)

Place in oven and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until eggs set. 

Add cheese on top and melt. 

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Take out and gently place a 12-inch plate on top and invert it to get the frittata on the plate. 

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Top with your favorite salsa — and cut into 8 pie-shape pieces. 

Enjoy!

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Underage drinking dangers: These are the states with the highest rates of teen alcohol use, study finds

A new study done by addiction recovery resource Addiction Treatment Magazine has revealed the states that have the highest and lowest prevalence of underage drinking.

Researchers looked at the number of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 who had consumed an alcoholic drink within the last month and had participated in binge-drinking, which is classified as consuming four or more drinks in one sitting, according to a press release on the publication’s website.

The data was drawn from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) based on the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

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The study determined that the state of Vermont has the highest prevalence of drinkers between the ages of 12 and 20 in the U.S., according to the release.

Nearly 25% of minors in the state had consumed alcohol, and more than 14% had participated in binge-drinking. 

Teens drinking

A new study has revealed the states in the nation that have the highest and lowest prevalence of underage drinking. (iStock)

Other states with high rates include Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  

In Rhode Island, nearly 22% of young people between the ages 12 and 20 consume alcohol monthly, and 12% of minors consume four or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting, the study found.

In New Hampshire, 20.6% of people between the ages 12 and 20 had consumed alcohol in the last month. 

The share was 20.4% for Massachusetts. 

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Rounding out the top 10 are the states of Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado, Maine and North Dakota.

At the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi has the lowest prevalence of underage drinking, with only 9.7% of underage people consuming alcohol. 

It also has the lowest binge-drinking rate, at only 5.4%, according to the study. 

College drinking

One possible reason that Vermont has topped the list is that it is a rural state with many colleges and universities — the highest number per capita of any state — said a clinical director of addiction services.  (iStock)

Utah is the second-lowest, at 11% for alcohol consumption and 6.8% for binge-drinking among the underage population. 

Coming in at third lowest is North Carolina, where 11.3% of underage people consumed alcohol in the last month.

Alabama is also on the lower end at 12%, followed by Arkansas at 12.3%.

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Rounding out the lower 10 are Indiana, Georgia, Idaho, Tennessee and Texas. 

“It’s no secret that underage drinking is a major concern in the United States, as it can pose several significant risks to the well-being of young people, including health risks, impaired judgment and the risk of dependency and addiction,” said a spokesperson for Addiction Treatment Magazine in the release.

Teens drinking

Overall, the findings indicate that the use of alcohol in young people continues to be a concern, said Tuell of the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio. (iStock)

“These findings provide an intriguing insight into where underage drinking is the most prominent throughout the country, with Vermont coming out on top. While progress has been made in reducing underage drinking rates, it is still a matter of concern, and ongoing efforts are necessary to address this issue and protect the health and safety of young people,” the spokesperson continued.

Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services for the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio, was not involved in the study, but said he wasn’t surprised by the findings.

“A parent’s position on underage drinking is paramount and is one of the strongest protective factors against underage drinking.”

“The Northeast has had a history of higher rates of underage drinking for the past 20 years,” he told Fox News Digital in an interview. “There continues to be no definitive reason why these rates are the way they are.”

One possible reason for Vermont’s topping the list, he said, is that it is a rural state with many colleges and universities — the highest number per capita of any state.

young people drinking beer outside

“The research is crystal-clear that early alcohol use before the age of 15 raises the risk of lifelong problems of addiction and alcoholism,” warned Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services for the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio.  (iStock)

Overall, the findings indicate that the use of alcohol in young people continues to be a concern, Tuell said.

“The research is crystal-clear that early alcohol use before the age of 15 raises the risk of lifelong problems of addiction and alcoholism,” he warned. 

“Early alcohol use — drinking at age 14 or earlier — [means a] 7 times greater risk for developing an alcohol problem than someone who begins drinking at age 21.” 

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Other possible reasons for the high rates in some states may be related to how the packaging of alcohol is geared toward youth, such as flavored drinks, and the association of alcohol use with sporting events, the expert noted.

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“This promotes alcohol use in young people as a necessary part of having fun,” Tuell said.

“A parent’s position on underage drinking is paramount and is one of the strongest protective factors against underage drinking,” he also said.

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Coffee quiz! How much do you know about the can’t-live-without-it drink?

National Coffee Day is September 29 — and millions of people have recognized the special occasion. 

But no matter what day it is or what season of the year, how well do you know the popular drink that many people consume all year long? 

Test your knowledge in this fun and engaging lifestyle quiz all about coffee!

Mobile app users: Click here to play the quiz!

Have you taken our fall quiz yet? Click here to play it!

To take even more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click on this link.

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