The first oil well was drilled in the United States in

The correct answer is B. 1859.

The first oil well in the United States was drilled by Edwin Drake in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859. This well is considered to be the beginning of the modern petroleum industry.

Option A is incorrect because it is the year that the first oil well was drilled in Canada.

Option C is incorrect because it is the year that the stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression.

Option D is incorrect because it is the year that Alaska became the 49th state.