December 30 in American History

December 30, 1853 — the Gadsden Purchase

The United States bought a strip of land from Mexico — parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico — for $10 million, mainly to secure a southern railroad route. It was the final major acquisition that fixed the continental borders of the lower 48 states. The map of the mainland was, at last, complete.

Common Questions

What happened on December 30 in American history?

In 1853: the Gadsden Purchase. The United States bought a strip of land from Mexico — parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico — for $10 million, mainly to secure a southern railroad route.

Why is December 30 significant?

The United States bought a strip of land from Mexico — parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico — for $10 million, mainly to secure a southern railroad route. It was the final major acquisition that fixed the continental borders of the lower 48 states. The map of the mainland was, at last, complete.

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