# data[].attributes.body
Congress begins discussing various proposals for distributing western lands to settlers. These early debates laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Homestead Act.

# data[].attributes.body
John L. O'Sullivan coins the term 'Manifest Destiny,' promoting the idea that American expansion across the continent was both inevitable and justified. This ideology heavily influenced future land distribution policies.

# data[].attributes.body
President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act into law. The act promised 160 acres of public land to settlers who would farm the land for five years. This was part of Lincoln's vision to provide opportunities for freed slaves and poor farmers.

# data[].attributes.body
Daniel Freeman files the first claim under the Homestead Act in Nebraska. This marked the beginning of a massive wave of western settlement.

# data[].attributes.body
Following the Civil War, many Black veterans attempt to claim homesteads. Despite their service, they often faced discrimination and were forced to settle on less desirable lands, including swamps and areas with poor soil.

# data[].attributes.body
The Homestead Act contributes to increased displacement of Native American tribes as more settlers move westward, leading to conflicts and forced relocations.

# data[].attributes.body
Homesteading reaches its peak, with thousands of claims filed each year. However, the quality of available land varies greatly, with prime locations already claimed by early settlers and railroad companies.

# data[].attributes.body
The disparities in land distribution become increasingly apparent. While some homesteaders prosper on fertile land, many Black and minority farmers struggle on marginal properties, highlighting the Act's role in perpetuating racial inequality.

# data[].attributes.body
This act effectively ends homesteading in most western states by requiring that public lands be classified for best use, significantly reducing land available for settlement.

# data[].attributes.headline
1976: FLPMA Officially Ends Homesteading

# data[].attributes.subject
1976: FLPMA Officially Ends Homesteading

# data[].attributes.body
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) officially ends homesteading in the lower 48 states, marking the conclusion of this significant chapter in American history. The act's legacy of inequality and its impact on various racial and ethnic groups continues to influence American society.