The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 | July 13

Enacted on this day in 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was a pivotal piece of legislation in U.S. history. It established the governance and path to statehood for territories including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Ordinance set requirements for territorial progression to statehood, ensuring basic rights like trial by jury and freedom of religion, while also prohibiting slavery (though enforcement varied).