The first hand printing press is constructed in America by George Clymer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Construction of the Erie Canal is authorized by the New York legislature. The canal, linking Albany on the Hudson River with Buffalo on Lake Erie, will become a significant artery in the westward movement of Americans from the East Coast. Thirteen stripes on the U.S. flag are made constant by law. Upon admission of each new state in the Union, a single white star will be added to the flag.
Maine is to be admitted as a free state, Missouri as a slave state.
Slavery will be excluded from the territory of the Louisiana Purchase north of 36 degrees 30 minutes latitude.