Posted: | August 21, 2013 09:49 AM |
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From: | Representative Chris Ross |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | 250th Anniversary of the Mason-Dixon Line |
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the beginning of astronomer Charles Mason’s and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon’s famous project to establish the boundaries between Pennsylvania and Maryland, popularly known today as the Mason-Dixon Line. Their work was of great significance in its day, because it settled a dispute going back to 1681, which had at one point resulted in actual bloodshed (in the so-called Cresap’s War of the 1730s). Mason and Dixon are still admired today by surveyors for the accuracy of their work, given the instruments of the time, and their incredible dedication and bravery cutting their way through untamed wilderness over four years, populated by sometimes hostile Native Americans. I invite you to join me in celebrating their remarkable achievement by co-sponsoring a resolution honoring the anniversary. |
Introduced as HR443