The Homestead National Monument of America, near the town of Beatrice, Nebraska, is a symbol of America's race to cultivate and develop its untamed frontier and how many people were granted land titles as a result. The race was made official by the passing of the Homestead Act of 1862, allowing any person over the age of 21 to apply for a land grant. This included freed slaves, women, immigrants, and anyone else who desired to accept the challenge. The movement was supported by President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the bill into law for another reason; in addition to expanding agriculture, commerce, and industry, he saw the bill as a chance to populate the west with Union supporters.