The number 46 was written in blue inside the star, as Oklahoma was the forty-sixth state to join the Union.

That word was added in 1941[3] as part of an effort to combat widespread illiteracy,[4] although there is no evidence the change to the flag played any significant role in such.

With some research he was able to identify the official design to use, but because of the prevalence of unauthorized designs, he contacted his state representative,[5] and was the impetus to standardize the colors and shapes by Oklahoma Senate Bill 1359[6] and signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on May 23, 2006, taking effect on November 1, 2006.

The shield surmounted by the pipe and olive branch represents defensive or protective warfare, showing a love of peace by a united people.

[9] The Choctaw flag, a replica of which hung in the Oklahoma Historical Museum, having been described as a rectangular field of blue, on which was placed a large red circular war shield bordered by a band of white; superimposed upon the face of the shield was a white bow, two arrows, and tomahawk crossed at right angles.