1800-1818: To help fund cost for the United States Government, Congress offers the Northwest turf for sale, cheap at $2.00 an acre
August 1818: In the small city of Kaskaskia, on the east bank of the Mississippi River, Illinois convention delegates elected by the populace met to fashion their own state constitution
August 1818: A young, anxious Edward Coles traveled to Illinois to attend the constitution meeting and help influence the decisions of the delegates to banish Slavery in the new Illinois State
December 1, 1818: After 21 days of deliberation, and a completed constitution, state request was forwarded to Congress, and passed both houses and President Monroe signed the bill
November 1922: Edward Coles took stands as the second Governor of Illinois leading his fellow citizens in a battle against slavery
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