1956day.year
The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 is signed by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, officially creating the United States Interstate Highway System.
On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, creating the U.S. Interstate Highway System.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act into law on June 29, 1956, launching one of the largest infrastructure projects in American history. The legislation authorized the construction of 41,000 miles of interstate highways, designed to facilitate defense mobility and economic growth. Driven by lessons from World War II and Germany’s Autobahn, Eisenhower envisioned a connected network to support commerce and national security. Over the following decades, the new highways transformed American life, enabling suburban expansion, long-distance travel, and efficient transport of goods. Towns along main routes flourished, while some small towns were bypassed, reshaping regional economies. Today’s Interstate Highway System remains a backbone of the U.S. transportation network, reflecting the act’s enduring legacy.
1956
Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Interstate Highway System