Nebraska: A Timeline of Key Events
Pre-1867
- 1803: Louisiana Purchase includes Nebraska
- 1804: Lewis and Clark Expedition explores Nebraska
- 1820: Missouri Compromise designates Nebraska as a slave territory
- 1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act creates Nebraska Territory
1867: Nebraska Statehood
- Congress admits Nebraska as the 37th state
Post-1867
- 1869: First transcontinental railroad completed in Nebraska
- 1877: Homestead Act encourages settlement in Nebraska
- 1892: Populist Party holds its national convention in Omaha
- 1920: Nebraska passes the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote
- 1930s: Great Depression impacts Nebraska agriculture
- 1941: Strategic Air Command established in Nebraska
- 1962: Warren Buffett moves to Omaha and begins investing in Berkshire Hathaway
- 1987: Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) deployed in Nebraska
- 2015: Trans-Canada Keystone XL pipeline is approved (later revoked)
Important Legislation
- Homestead Act (1862): Granted land to settlers
- Nebraska Test-Ban Treaty (1963): Banned nuclear testing above ground
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009): Provided economic stimulus during the Great Recession
Important Court Cases
- Meyer v. Nebraska (1923): Protected the right of teachers to teach German
- Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart (1976): Limited the ability of courts to ban publications
Major Industry
- Agriculture: Nebraska is a leading producer of corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Impact on the Rest of the Country
- Nebraska has served as a major agricultural producer, feeding the nation.
- It has been a transportation hub, connecting the East and West coasts.
- It has contributed to the U.S. military, hosting major air bases.
- Its population and economy have experienced significant growth, especially in recent decades.