Today in History, November 16th

On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state. Plus the Federal Reserve Banks opening and the Artemis I launch.

By Today in History Updated November 9, 2026 3 min read Sources checked

Published November 16, 2025 · Last updated November 9, 2026

November 16 is best known as the day in 1907 when Oklahoma joined the Union as the 46th state, combining Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory. The date also saw the 12 Federal Reserve Banks open for business in 1914 and NASA’s Artemis I rocket launch toward the Moon in 2022.

The big story: Oklahoma Becomes the 46th State (1907)

Oklahoma took the long way to statehood. Much of the land came to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase, and in 1834 Congress set aside a large area as Indian Territory, the destination for Native nations forced west. In 1889, Congress opened part of it to homesteaders, and in 1890 it created Oklahoma Territory next door. Both territories had enough people to become states, but Congress would only take them as one. The Enabling Act of June 16, 1906, laid out the path, and voters approved statehood on September 17, 1907. On November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the proclamation admitting Oklahoma. In Guthrie, word arrived by telegraph and a gunshot told the crowd. The town staged a mock wedding between “Mr. Oklahoma Territory” and “Miss Indian Territory,” played by a woman of Cherokee descent, and Charles N. Haskell was sworn in as the first governor.

More events on November 16

Year	What happened
1532	Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro ambushed the Inca emperor Atahualpa’s party at Cajamarca, Peru, killing thousands and taking Atahualpa prisoner. Some accounts date it to November 15.
1776	British forces captured Fort Washington on Manhattan, and about 2,800 American defenders surrendered.
1889	The Oahu Railway and Land Company opened its first nine miles of track in Hawaii, on King Kalākaua’s birthday.
1914	The 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks opened for business.
1933	The United States formally recognized the Soviet Union after talks between President Franklin Roosevelt and Soviet diplomat Maxim Litvinov, ending 16 years of non-recognition.
1945	Delegates in London signed the constitution of UNESCO, the UN’s agency for education, science and culture.
1973	President Richard Nixon signed the law authorizing the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
2022	NASA’s Space Launch System rocket lifted off from Florida on Artemis I, sending an uncrewed Orion capsule on a test flight to the Moon.

Born on November 16

42 BCE: Tiberius, second emperor of Rome.
1873: W. C. Handy, composer of “St. Louis Blues,” often called the Father of the Blues.
1889: George S. Kaufman, playwright who co-wrote You Can’t Take It with You.