United States History On This Date: May 20th

1775 — Mecklenburg Resolves Adopted in North Carolina

Local leaders in Mecklenburg County issued a sweeping declaration that effectively suspended British authority and established independent governance. Though not a formal declaration of independence, the Resolves represented one of the earliest and boldest colonial assertions of self‑rule. Their adoption signaled the accelerating collapse of royal power in the southern colonies as tensions surged toward open rebellion.

1862 — Homestead Act Signed by President Lincoln

Lincoln approved the landmark Homestead Act, opening millions of acres of western land to settlers willing to live on and improve their claims. The law democratized land ownership, accelerated westward migration, and reshaped the American landscape. It also intensified conflicts with Indigenous nations whose lands were increasingly targeted for settlement under federal policy.

1861 — North Carolina Secedes from the Union

After months of hesitation, North Carolina voted to leave the Union, becoming the tenth state to join the Confederacy. The decision followed Lincoln’s call for troops and reflected deepening regional loyalties. The state would become a major military theater, hosting key battles and supplying large numbers of soldiers to the Confederate cause.

1927 — Charles Lindbergh Lands in Paris

American aviator Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, landing the Spirit of St. Louis at Le Bourget Field after 33½ hours in the air. His achievement electrified the world, transformed public confidence in aviation, and elevated him to instant international fame. The flight marked a turning point in commercial and long‑distance air travel.

1996 — Supreme Court Protects Colorado LGBTQ Rights

In Romer v. Evans, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Colorado constitutional amendment that barred local governments from protecting LGBTQ citizens from discrimination. The ruling affirmed that such sweeping exclusions violated the Equal Protection Clause. It became a foundational decision in the modern legal trajectory of LGBTQ civil rights in the United States.

Charles Lindbergh at Le Bourget Field after his 33 1/2 hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean