February 2 in American History

February 2, 1848 — the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The treaty ending the Mexican-American War transferred a vast territory — present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and much of the Southwest — to the United States. It completed the continental expansion of the country in a single stroke, and folded a large Mexican population and heritage permanently into the American story.

Common Questions

What happened on February 2 in American history?

In 1848: the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty ending the Mexican-American War transferred a vast territory — present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and much of the Southwest — to the United States.

Why is February 2 significant?

The treaty ending the Mexican-American War transferred a vast territory — present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and much of the Southwest — to the United States. It completed the continental expansion of the country in a single stroke, and folded a large Mexican population and heritage permanently into the American story.

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