The region known today as Nebraska was long
the home of Native American Indian tribes. Their peace was interrupted in 1541 when
the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasques De Coronado came looking for gold and claimed
the central and southwest areas for Spain. In 1682, French explorer Robert Cavelier
followed the Mississippi River south, claiming the same land for France. Unlike
the Spanish, French traders began settling the land they had named Louisiana. In
1714 Etienne de Bourgmont traveled from the mouth of the Missouri River in Montana
to the mouth of the Platte River, which he called the Nebraskier River, becoming
the first person to approximate the state's name. In 1720 Spaniard Pedro de Villasur
led an overland expedition that followed an Indian trail from Santa Fe to Nebraska.
In 1762 the Treaty of Fontainebleau led France
to cede lands west of the Mississippi River to Spain, causing the future Nebraska
to become part of New Spain. In 1795 Jacques D'Eglise traveled the Missouri River
Valley on behalf of the Spanish crown. Searching for the elusive Northwest Passage,
D'Eglise did not go further than central North Dakota. In 1800, France reclaimed
the area only to sell it to the United States in 1803. Nebraska was part of this
famous Louisiana Purchase.
The face of Nebraska changed forever when the
Lewis and Clark expedition explored this land as it wound its way up the Missouri
River on their epic journey across middle-America to the Pacific Northwest. Zebulon
Pike explored southern Nebraska in 1806. By 1807 fur-trading posts began to be established
along the Missouri River. Fort Lisa, established by Manuel Lisa, was only 10 miles
from present-day Omaha. Robert Stuart set out from Oregon in 1812, in search for
New York City. He traveled into Nebraska from Wyoming, then along the North Platte
and Platte Rivers to the Missouri River. For over 40 years, many settlers moving
west followed the Oregon Trail through Indian Territory.
In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act created the
territories of Kansas and Nebraska and opened the area to settlement. The Homestead
Act of 1862 provided free land in the West to settlers if they would agree to stay
for five years.
A constitution for Nebraska was drawn up in
1866. There was some controversy over Nebraska's admission as a state, with some
controversy over a provision in the 1866 constitution that restricted suffrage to
white voters; eventually, on February 8, 1867, the United States Congress voted
to admit Nebraska as a state provided that suffrage was not denied to non-white
voters. The bill admitting Nebraska as a state was vetoed by President Andrew Johnson,
but the veto was overridden by a supermajority in both Houses of Congress.
Farmers struggled during the late 1800s. Grasshoppers
invaded the their lands eating wheat, barley and corn crops. Drought dried up the
land and many were forced to leave Nebraska and return to the East. In 1902, the
Reclamation Act provided federal aid for irrigation development. Dams were built
along the Platte River that provided water to western Nebraska. Ranchers bought
much of the land in northern Nebraska for grazing cattle. In 1929, the Great Depression
brought a drop in farm prices. Drought also returned and strong winds carried off
topsoil. Nebraska became part of the Dust Bowl. Many lost their farms and were forced
to leave the state. To help farmers, the federal government provided long-term,
low-interest loans.
During the Second World War Nebraska was home
to several prisoner of war camps. Scottsbluff, Fort Robinson, and Camp Atlanta (outside
Holdrege) were the main camps. There were many smaller satellite camps as well.
Altogether there were 23 large and small camps scattered across the state. In addition,
several U.S. Army Airfields were constructed at various locations across the state.
In the 1950s, agricultural companies bought
most of the small family farms. Farm equipment replaced many of the workers, who
then moved to the cities in search of work. State leaders became aware of the need
to attract new industries and expand those it already had. In 1960, the state constitution
was amended to allow cities and counties to purchase and develop land for lease
to private companies.
Nebraska is a leading grain-producer with bumper
crops of sorghum, corn, and wheat. More varieties of grass, valuable for forage,
grow in this state than in any other in the nation. The state's sizable cattle and
hog industries make Dakota City and Lexington among the nation's largest meat-packing
centers.
Manufacturing has become diversified: Firms
making electronic components, auto accessories, pharmaceuticals, and mobile homes
have joined such older industries as clothing, farm machinery, chemicals, and transportation
equipment. Oil was discovered in 1939 and natural gas in 1949.
Famous People
- Grace Abbott (1878 - 1939) Social reformer that helped to
write the Social Security Act; born in Grand Island.
- Grover Cleveland Alexander (1887 - 1950) One of the greatest
pitchers in baseball history; born in Elba.
-
Fred Astaire (1899 - 1987) Actor famous for his dance steps; born in Omaha.
- Marlon Brando (1924 - ) Actor who won an Academy Award for
The Godfather; born in Omaha.
- Warren Buffett (1930 - ) Successful stock investor; born in Omaha.
- Johnny Carson (1925 - 2005) Entertainer and host of the
Tonight Show; grew up in Norfolk.
-
Henry Fonda (1905 - 1982) Actor who won an Academy Award for On Golden Pond;
born in Grand Island.
-
Gerald R. Ford (1913 - ) 38th President of the United States; born
in Omaha.
- Joyce
C. Hall (1891 - 1982) Founder of Hallmark Cards; born in David City.
- Malcolm X
(1925 - 1965) Civil rights leader; born in Omaha.
- J. Sterling
Morton (1832 - 1903) Secretary of Agriculture and founder of Arbor Day;
from Nebraska City.
- Kay Orr - (1987-1991) The first Republican woman governor in U.S. history
-
Red Cloud (1822 - 1909) Oglala Sioux leader who defeated the U.S. Army in
many battles; born in Nebraska.