1. In 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state in the United States on December 16th. The state has since been known for its rich Native American culture and history.

2. On December 16th, 1920, the infamous bank robber and outlaw, Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd, was born in Adairsville, Oklahoma. Floyd became notorious during the Great Depression for his bank robberies and was eventually killed in a shoot-out with police.

3. In 1943, the city of Tulsa experienced a devastating explosion on December 16th when a munitions plant exploded, killing 19 people and causing extensive damage to the surrounding area.

4. On December 16th, 1996, the University of Oklahoma football team won their first national championship since 1985. The Sooners defeated the Florida State Seminoles in the Orange Bowl to claim the title.

5. The musical Oklahoma! premiered on Broadway on December 16th, 1943. The show, which was based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs, was a huge success and helped to launch the career of songwriter Oscar Hammerstein II.