Today in History: President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act
- Posted on May 20, 2026
- By Chicago Tribune
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- 1 min read
Today in History: President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act
On May 20, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, which was intended to encourage settlement west of the Mississippi River by making federal land available for private ownership and farming. About 10% of the land area of…
