feb 11, 1897 - Signs Act (29 Stat 526) authorizing "any person authorized to enter lands" to make claims ("obtain patent") to lands containing petroleum. This law will later be important in a Supreme Court decision during Taft's administration (U.S. v Midwest Oil) about the President's authority to issue executive orders without precise statutory authority
Added to timeline:
Date:
feb 11, 1897
Now
~ 129 years ago