May 20 in American History
President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, offering 160 acres of public land, nearly free, to any citizen willing to farm and improve it for five years. Over time it transferred some 270 million acres — a tenth of the country — into private hands, and turned the dream of owning your own piece of America into reality for millions.
In 1862: the Homestead Act. President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, offering 160 acres of public land, nearly free, to any citizen willing to farm and improve it for five years.
President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, offering 160 acres of public land, nearly free, to any citizen willing to farm and improve it for five years. Over time it transferred some 270 million acres — a tenth of the country — into private hands, and turned the dream of owning your own piece of America into reality for millions.
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