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Today in History: Congress Passes Missouri Compromise Balancing Slave and Free States

3/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On March 3, 1820, the U.S. Congress passed the Missouri Compromise, a pivotal legislation that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This compromise aimed to balance the interests of northern and southern states regarding slavery and prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands north of the 36°30´ parallel.

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Story summary

On March 3, 1820, the U.S. Congress passed the Missouri Compromise, a pivotal legislation that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This compromise aimed to balance the interests of northern and southern states regarding slavery and prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands north of the 36°30´ parallel.