Durant, Oklahoma artist Neal Taylor's (gntayloroklaart.com) epic rendering of the April 22, 1889 Unassigned Lands run, "A Run for All Reasons,"' which graces the front cover of "The Oklahomans: The Story of Oklahoma and Its People," Vol. 1, Ancient-Statehood.

Did you know that the newly-christened Oklahoma Territory had FIVE land runs, as well as six land openings by allotment, one by lottery, and one by sealed bid? This unique and colossal history took place from 1889 through 1906. The anniversary of the first of these events, the famed Run of '89, is this Saturday, April 22. It opened the "Unassigned Lands" in central Oklahoma. These included present-day OKC, Norman, Moore, Mustang, Yukon, Guthrie, El Reno, Stillwater, El Reno, Kingfisher, Noble, Lexington, and Edmond.

John will share his brand new illustrated Land Runs presentation this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene in Edmond. Please come out if you are able! The address is 3001 South Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73013. One copy of his new book "The Oklahomans: The Story of Oklahoma and Its People," Vol. 1, Ancient-Statehood, will be given away by drawing.

The phone number for more information is (405) 341-0127

The only extant photograph of the 1893 Cherokee Outlet land run, the largest in history. Around 100,000 people participated in this event, which was immortalized in Edna Ferber's novel "Cimarron," two film adaptations of that book, including the first-ever Best Picture Academy Award winner, and Duncan, OK native Ron Howard's epic "Far and Away," which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.