A. The history of the area that is now known as the State of Oklahoma was shaped by its location in the crossroads of the emerging American West. Consequently, what is now Oklahoma was coveted by many nations and governments as a key to controlling a large part of North America. Spain, England, France, the United States of America, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the many tribal nations in Oklahoma have contributed by their governance and influence to the cultural heritage of the great State of Oklahoma.

B. In recognition of the unique and honorable history and culture of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Historical Society, when funds are available or secured by donation, shall maintain and display in a dignified manner at the Oklahoma Historical Society replicas of fourteen flags, standards, or banners listed in subsection C of this section of the nations and governments which have claimed governance of the lands now encompassed within the borders of the State of Oklahoma. The flags, standards, or banners shall be displayed in a historical flag plaza as part of the new History Center for the Oklahoma Historical Society on the northeast corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Northeast 23rd Street in Oklahoma City.

C. The following fourteen flags, standards, or banners to be displayed pursuant to this section shall be:

1. The current United States of America flag;

2. Coronado's Royal Standard of Spain of 1541;

3. The Great Union of Great Britain flag of 1663;

4. The French Royal Standard of 1719;

5. The Standard of the Spanish Empire of 1763;

6. The Standard of Napoleon's French Republic of 1800;

7. The fifteen-star United States of America flag of 1818;

8. The Republic of Mexico flag which flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle from 1821 to 1836;

9. The Republic of Texas flag which flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle from 1836 to 1839;

10. The Lone Star Flag of Texas which flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle from 1839 to 1850;

11. The Flag of the Choctaw Indian Nation carried by Choctaw Nation Confederate troops from 1861 to 1865;

12. The First National Flag of the Confederate States of America adopted on March 4, 1861;

13. The Oklahoma state flag adopted by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1911; and

14. The Oklahoma state flag adopted by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1925.

D. The flags, standards, or banners directed to be displayed by subsection C of this section shall be displayed every day except when the weather is inclement.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 185, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.