This Day in History - May 20: President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, opening millions of acres to settlement
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President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862, opening millions of acres of land for settlement in the Midwest and Great Plains region.Summary
On May 20, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, a pivotal piece of legislation that opened up millions of acres of land for settlement in the Midwest and Great Plains region. Under the terms of the law, heads of families were granted 160 acres of public land for a small filing fee, provided they lived on and cultivated the land for five years. This act significantly encouraged westward expansion and provided an opportunity for many individuals to own property.
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