What is a Sooner?

Sooners are people from the state of Oklahoma who take part in one of the most beloved American traditions, the Land Run. This tradition began in the late 1800s when the U.S. government opened up the unassigned lands of Oklahoma for settlement, offering plots of land to anyone who was willing to claim them. The process of claiming these plots was called the Land Run, and the people who participated in it were called Sooners.

The Sooners

The term “Sooner” has a few definitions. It can be used to refer to an Oklahoman, or to anyone who has taken part in or benefited from the Land Run tradition. It is also used in a more general sense to refer to any person who is eager or eagerness to take advantage of an opportunity.

The term “Sooner” is derived from the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889. On April 22 of that year, the President of the United States opened up the Unassigned Lands—an area of Oklahoma which had never been officially divided and sold—for settlement. To claim a piece of land, all a person had to do was physically arrive at the land and stake their claim.

The people who arrived early, before the day the Land Run officially began, were deemed “Sooners.” Doing so was not allowed and was considered illegal and a violation of the terms of the Land Run, but the name caught on and stuck.

The Legacy of The Sooners

The Sooners of 1889 may be long gone, but their legacy lives on in Oklahoma and throughout the nation. The University of Oklahoma has named their sports teams the Sooners in honor of the Land Run, and the term has become a point of pride throughout the state. “Sooner” is often seen as a badge of honor for Oklahomans, symbolizing the spirit of resourcefulness, ambition, and perseverance that defined the first Land Run.

Today, the Land Run is commemorated each year with festivals and events throughout Oklahoma. The Run still serves as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination, and it serves as the foundation for the continued prosperity of the state. The spirit of the Sooners can still be felt throughout Oklahoma, and it will likely live on for years to come.