Historical Events tagged with "homestead act"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Lincoln Signs the Homestead Act into Law

May 20th, 1862 162 years ago

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, which allowed individuals to claim up to 160 acres of public land. This act aimed to promote westward expansion and encourage settlement in the vast territories gained by the United States. Settlers were required to reside on the land for five years to gain full ownership, transforming the landscape and demographics of the nation. The initiative was rooted in the belief that access to land was essential for prosperity and democracy.

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