may 20, 1862 - Homestead Act
Description:
The Homestead Act, enacted during the Civil War in 1862, provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. Claimants were required to “improve” the plot by building a dwelling and cultivating the land.Added to timeline:
Date:
may 20, 1862
Now
~ 163 years ago