1. Our state mammal is the bison — basically the original badass American creature.
2. We have our priorities straight when it comes to cattle transport vs. pristine car interiors.
3. All the Sonic, all the time.
drinks.seriouseats.com
The national restaurant chain was founded in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
4. Also, Breakfast at Jimmy's Egg...
5. ...the fried chicken and beer at Eischen's...
6. ...the burger at Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler (and the way families gather there after Little League games).
7. ...and Leo's BBQ.
8. Oklahoma has about 400 miles of Route 66.
americaontheroad.it
That's more miles of original routing left than any other Route 66 state.
9. The Old Round Barn in Arcardia on Route 66.
scenicusa.net
That thing is awesome.
10. Also along Route 66: The Catoosa Blue Whale waterslide!
11. Oklahoma is home to the world's second largest McDonald's.
en.wikipedia.org)
Right over the Will Rogers turnpike.
12. The five-story Chihuly sculpture at the Oklahoma Museum of Art.
shutterthyme.wordpress.com
Really, the whole Chihuly exhibit.
13. Watching the Paseo Arts District turn into a vibrant gallery hub.
14. The view from the top of The Wildcat roller coaster at Frontier City — all sky.
Flickr: lifewithjim
OKC's hilarious Wild West-themed amusement.
15. When this happens to one of your friends or siblings.
16. Grand Lake.
17. Lake Eufaula.
18. And this catfish, allegedly pulled out of Lake Texoma.
19. Does your capital city have a gigantic milk bottle?
20. OK, but what about Braum's crinkle-cut French fries?
21. "Pops" in Arcadia, OK, sells nearly 500 types of soda.
Via Flickr: rouleau
22. Brad Pitt is from Shawnee, Oklahoma.
23. And Garth Brooks is from Yukon.
24. Olivia Munn is from Oklahoma City.
25. And the Flaming Lips are too.
View this video on YouTube
26. Chuck Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma.
Don't forget.
Via tumblr.com
Sorry that we did!
27. And Miss Oklahoma was first runner-up at the Miss USA Pageant.
Via kyleweber.com
In 2010.
28. Cimarron County in Oklahoma's panhandle is the only county in the United States that touches four other states: New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and Kansas!
Via tumblr.com
29. Oklahoma has more ecological regions per square mile than any other state — including BIG green mountains.
en.wikipedia.org / Via travelok.com
Mesas.
Big sky prairies.
Harvey Payne / The Nature Conservancy
Waterfalls.
And mostly, a lot of flat, flat prairies and big, big sky.
30. Does your state have its own colorful lizard? I think NOT!
Via Flickr: justink
31. This man.
32. Oh, and this one.
33. It took the Oklahoma City Thunder club only three years to make it to the NBA Championships after relocating from Seattle to Oklahoma.
Bill Waugh / Reuters
They were the second youngest NBA Finals team in NBA history.
Brett Deering/Getty Images
34. Between 2006 to 2010, Oklahoma's gross domestic product grew by 10.6% — even in the midst of a recession.
Via travelok.com
35. Oklahoma's unemployment rate is 4.9% — the national average is 7.5%.
Via data.bls.gov
36. Oklahoma has the most wins and best winning percentage in college football over the last 75 years.
37. ESPN ranked Oklahoma the most prestigious college football program in modern college football.
38. The Oklahoma State Cowboys have made bowl games in five of the last six years and ended the season No. 1 in the nation in 2011.
en.wikipedia.org
They also hold nine conference championships, one Heisman Trophy winner, two NFL Hall of Fame members, and 32 All-Americans to the Cowboys' name.
39. Oklahoma is home to more Native American tribal headquarters than any other state.
Via travelok.com
There are 39 tribes and nations of Native Americans.
40. There are 25 Native American languages spoken in Oklahoma, second only to California.
41. We're also home to the amazing Red Earth Native American Festival.
Flickr: 96077153@N00
When, every June, more than 1,500 Native American dancers and artists gather in the streets of downtown Oklahoma City.
42. The Philbrook Museum in Tulsa is one of the top 50 fine art museums in the United States.
blogger.com / Via roundpulse.com
43. And was your state the inspiration for one of the greatest musicals of all time?
And Hugh Jackman says, "OOOOOOOKLAHOMA!"
44. But most importantly, no matter what happens...
...in the face of national tragedy or natural disaster...
...Oklahoma stays strong.
45. We take care of each other.
Even the little guys.
Marcus DiPaola/Xinhua via Zuma Press/MCT
Marcus DiPaola/Xinhua via Zuma Press/MCT
