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On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as France officially transferred the Louisiana Territory to the United States

December 20, 2022

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An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 20 of December, repeating indefinitely

On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as France officially transferred the Louisiana Territory to the United States.

The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land transfers in history. Consisting of roughly 827,000 square miles west of the Mississippi River, the new U.S. territory nearly doubled the size of our young country.

Did you know? Napoleon’s brothers opposed his decision to sell the territory to the United States. He was resolute however – they came to argue with him as he took a bath and he reportedly stated “Gentlemen, think what you please about it. I have decided to sell Louisiana to the Americans.” He then pointedly dropped into the tub, drenching a brother.

 

Hoisting of American Colors over Louisiana, Thure de Thulstrup, 1904

-Written by Anna Zemaitaitis, Communications and Design Officer

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Date:
December 20, 2022
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