The Land Run

The Land Run was a historical event in Oklahoma between 1889 and 1895, where thousands of settlers quickly moved into government-opened territories to claim free land. Participants, often called "boomers" or "sooners," raced to establish homesteads on unassigned lands, facilitated by mechanized land runs. This mass migration rapidly transformed Oklahoma from Native American lands into populated, organized communities, shaping its settlement pattern and economy. The Land Run exemplifies a significant frontier expansion, reflecting themes of opportunity, Manifest Destiny, and the complex history of westward expansion in the United States.