The United States of America bought Oklahoma from France in 1803.

 

The United States of America bought Oklahoma from France in 1803.

Under Napoleon Bonaparte, France regained control of the parts of La Louisiane they had previously handed over to Spain through another secret treaty in 1800.

However, France’s control was short-lived, as Bonaparte was forced to sell this territory to the newly formed United States of America in 1803. 

Known today as the Louisiana Purchase, the US gained a mind-blowing 828,000 square miles (2,144,510 square kilometers), which more than doubled the fledgling country’s total land.

This massive swathe of land was partitioned into smaller and smaller territories.Modern-day Oklahoma was first made a part of Louisiana Territory in 1812 (later renamed Missouri Territory), and then Arkansas Territory in 1819.

Lawmakers are looking at a joint resolution that would allow cities and towns to have local elections to see if they want to issue bonds to build tornado shelters and strengthen buildings.

A pair of Oklahoma legislators say businesses, schools and churches that open their doors to citizens during severe weather should not be held liable if people are hurt or killed. The proposal is in response to a lawsuit filed by relatives of those killed after taking shelter in a convenience store in the 2013 tornado.