Federal-Aid Highway Act Signed
June 29, 1956 · 20th Century
The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, also known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 29, 1956. This historic legislation authorized the construction of over 41,000 miles of interstate highways across the United States, representing the largest public works project in American history at that time.
Key Figures
Dwight D. EisenhowerLucius D. ClayAlbert Gore Sr.Hale BoggsGeorge Fallon
Locations
Washington, D.C.Laclede County, MissouriSt. Charles County, MissouriTopeka, Kansas
Topics
transportationUSAeisenhower
Connected Events — 3 Connections
Interstate highways accelerated suburban expansion that reshaped African American settlement patterns The Great Migration Begins
Aviation industry growth created demand for strategic highway networks to move defense materials Wright Brothers' First Flight
Railroad networks established the precedent for federal infrastructure investment that enabled interstate highway funding Steam Powered Locomotive
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