Oklahoma History Center

On May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mobs of white residents brutally attacked, ransacked, and razed the thriving African American community of Greenwood, colloquially known as "Black Wall Street." It was the deadliest racial massacre in U.S. history. Today on the centennial, we join the National Museum of African American History and Culture (@NMAAHC) for a moment of reflection. We also celebrate and honor the resilience of an African American community, its r...esidents, and the people who continue to fight for truth, repair, reconciliation and justice today. #Tulsa100 #okhistory

First celebrated on May 20, 1950, #ArmedForcesDay was created on August 31, 1949, and meant to celebrate all of the branches of the U.S. military consolidated under the new Department of Defense. Ever since, on the third Saturday of May, the nation comes together to honor and celebrate those who have served, both past and present. Thank you for your dedication, service, and sacrifice. Photo credits: 2012.201.B1329.0725, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS.; 2012.201.B1320.0417, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS.; 3366, Oklahoma Historical Society Photograph Collection, OHS.; 2012.201.B0243.0196, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS.

On this day in Oklahoma history, 100 years ago, hundreds of white Tulsans gathered outside of the Tulsa County Courthouse as the afternoon turned into evening. The men demanded a young black man, Dick Rowland, be handed to over to them by the sheriff. Rowland had been detained after a misunderstanding with a white elevator operator, an incident in which the Tulsa Tribune sensationalized into an attack. At 9 p.m., an armed group of 25 African American men, many of whom were r...Continue reading

A #throwback photo from the Ray Jacoby Collection: "50 Penn Place - Aerial view looking SSE at 50 Penn Place - May 15, 1974." Photo credit: 22055.28912.8, Ray Jacoby Collection, OHS. #okhistory

An early image of a tornado in Oklahoma Territory captured in May 1895 or May 12, 1896. Photo by Thomas Croft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory. Photo credit: 6760, OHS Photograph Collection, OHS. #okhistory

Tomorrow, May 31, is Memorial Day. While it was officially standardized as a holiday by Congress in 1971, the tradition of remembrance and honoring fallen soldiers stretches back to the Civil War. The Oklahoma History Center would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. To all who have fought for our country, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Photo credit: "Memorial Day observance at Rose Hill cemetery." P00000815, William A. McGalliard Historical Collection, OHS.

On Saturday, June 12, at 1:30 p.m. the Oklahoma Historical Society will host Legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a roundtable discussion on how race relations developed in Oklahoma after one of the state’s most horrific events, the Tulsa Race Massacre. The panel will present several perspectives that represent different aspects of the state’s African American community. This conversation will take place at the Oklahoma History Center, and limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at bit.ly/LegacyTRM. This roundtable discussion is sponsored by the OHS’s Black Heritage Committee and the Oklahoma History Center Education Department.

The Oklahoma History Center has education resources for a wide age range about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. A lesson plan based on the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies can be found here: https://www.okhistory.org/historycenter/forms/TeacherTRM.pdf. In addition, this month’s episode of A Very OK Podcast, hosted by OHS Executive Director Trait Thompson and former Executive Director Dr. Bob Blackburn, features a discussion about the Tulsa Race Massacre. Listen a...t www.okhistory.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast app. #okhistory #Tulsa100

Today in Oklahoma history, in 1985, American cartoonist Chester Gould passed away. Before his creation of the "Dick Tracy" character and comic that he is best known for, Gould grew up in Pawnee, Oklahoma, and began his career by contributing cartoons to the Daily Oklahoman. #okhistory

Happy Mother's Day from the Oklahoma History Center!