Based on the Homestead Act 1862 an applicant could get up to 160 acres of land completely free. There were however a few stipulations. The applicant had to never have taken up arms against the U.S. (meaning did not fight in the Confederate army), had to improve the land, and file for a deed. Even former slaves were entitled to this.
On this day April 22nd, in 1889, the Oklahoma Land Rush began at 12 noon. There were approximately 50,000 people that rushed in to claim land, as this offer was on a first come first serve basis. All of land rushes took place west of the Mississippi in what is called unassigned land.
In half a day Oklahoma had gone from completely vacant to the foundation of a city. This is considered to be the largest Land Rush in U.S. history, and within a month after April 22 there were already 5 banks and 6 newspapers. Along with this came some controversy which even had a song written about it called “boomer sooner.” Sooners were people who had hid out on the highest-quality land, but this was considered illegal and there were many court cases concerning this matter. Boomers were the ones who entered legally at 12 noon.