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Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for May 20, 2025
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
May 20, 2025: One hundred and sixty-three (163) years ago on May 20, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Homestead Act of 1862. The Homestead Act made it possible for Americans to start moving out west by providing 160 acres of unused land to anyone who paid the filing fee and agreed to work and improve the land over five years. This act was enticing to nearly every American, as the only requirement was to be the head of a family or 21 years old. This meant that nearly everyone, including freed slaves, immigrants intending to be naturalized, and single women were all eligible. As the act came to an end in the late 1980s, nearly 270 million acres were distributed.
Source: britannica.com
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- May 19, 2025-70% of voters say it is Very Important to ensure the security of America’s electricity grid
- May 16, 2025-Congress has voted to override presidential vetoes 112 times
- May 15, 2025-48% of voters say it is possible to balance the budget by simply slowing the growth of federal spending over time
- May 14, 2025-418 years ago, Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America
- May 13, 2025-60% of voters are more worried about the government deciding what information should be allowed than disinformation
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