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Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for October 20, 2025
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
October 20, 2025: Two hundred and twenty-two years ago, on October 20, 1803, the U.S. Senate approved a treaty with France for the Louisiana Purchase. The purchase of the Louisiana Territory came surprisingly easily for President Thomas Jefferson. At this time, the leader of France was Napoleon Bonaparte, and he was attempting to make France a powerhouse on the European continent. This caused President Jefferson to worry about French controlled Louisiana. Jefferson decided to send James Monroe to meet with the French foreign minister in hopes that Napoleon might be interested in at least selling New Orleans and West Florida. However, what they did not expect was for Napoleon to agree to a sale of the whole territory. Napoleon had just recently entered into war with the British and needed the funds for the war effort. In the end, the U.S. purchased Louisiana for $15 million.[1]
Scott Rasmussen is the president of RMG Research, Inc. and founder of the Napolitan Institute.
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- October 17, 2025-248 years ago, the United States defeated the British in the Battle of Saratoga
- October 16, 2025-53% of voters say they have paid all their credit card balances in full over the past month
- October 15, 2025-Nine states have changed their recount laws in 2025
- October 14, 2025-21% of voters say they are very closely following news stories about the war between Israel and Hamas
- October 13, 2025-40% of voters say the Republican party is responsible for the government shutdown
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Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
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