USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Passed on May 20, 1862, the Homestead Act accelerated the settlement of the western territory by granting adult heads of families 160 acres of surveyed public land for a minimal filing fee and five years of continuous residence on that land.

Detailed explanation-2: -President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862. On January 1, 1863, Daniel Freeman made the first claim under the Act, which gave citizens or future citizens up to 160 acres of public land provided they live on it, improve it, and pay a small registration fee.

Detailed explanation-3: -270 millions acres, or 10% of the area of the United States was claimed and settled under this act. A homesteader had only to be the head of a household or at least 21 years of age to claim a 160 acre parcel of land.

Detailed explanation-4: -Each homesteader had to live on the land, build a home, make improvements and farm to get the land. The patent they received represented the culmination of hard work and determination. Nearly four million homesteaders settled land across 30 states over 123 years.