Memorable anniversary – the Lousiana Purchase
April 30, 2010
Who is the greatest American President? A common question asked amongst history buffs and occasional magazine pieces. Lincoln gets the nod more often than not as does Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Then things get contentious; Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, John Adams etc…
In terms of impact on the world Thomas Jefferson is by far the most important President. On this day in 1803 he effected the Louisiana Purchase, buying the French occupied Louisiana Territory 833,000 acres for $11,250,000. That includes 11 states; Montana, Wyoming, North Dakot, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Louisiana. The USA moved from a strip of states huddling the Atlantic Coast to a major country with massive potential. With California coming into the Union after the Mexican American War the American Century was inevitable. One must wonder what the French would think these days. Had they kept the Territory perhaps French would be the international language. What about the Russians who sold Alaska to the United States. It is now a gold mine,oil reservoir and general honey pot for minerals and resources.