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OK Historical Society: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” written by Broken Arrow native

The Oklahoma Historical Society shared some Green Country Christmas “fun facts” with FOX23 ahead of the holiday.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” written by Broken Arrow native

According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the popular Christmas song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: was written in the 1940s by two people, including Broken Arrow native Ralph Blane. The song was originally written for the musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” starring Judy Garland.

Oklahoma City girl recorded “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”

Gayla Peevey, an Oklahoma City native, is well-known for recording the song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, she recorded it in 1953. The record peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Music Chart and sold more than 300,000 copies.

The Oklahoma City Zoo capitalized on the song’s popularity. The zoo launched a fundraising campaign to “buy a hippo for Gayla.” The Oklahoma Historical Society said area children donated more than $3,000 to purchase a baby hippopotamus, named Matilda, for Gayla. She donated Matilda to the zoo on Dec. 23, 1953. Matilda spent 45 years at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Mistletoe is Oklahoma’s official floral emblem

Mistletoe is Oklahoma’s oldest symbol, according to the historical society. It was chosen as Oklahoma Territory’s floral emblem in 1893. But the decision came with some controversy. Early settlers who lobbied for support of the parasitic plant were not necessarily aware it was a parasite, the society said.

Instead, the settlers said mistletoe was the only greenery available to decorate graves during the hard winter of 1889.

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