The Growth of the United States

General Drafting Company’s map celebrating America’s bicentennial.

This lovely map of the United States was issued by the General Drafting Company in 1976 to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. The image presents the growth of the United States as an iterative process that began with the Revolution and culminated with the annexation of Hawaii and the U.S. Overseas Territories.

Bright colors highlight each major acquisition, with the major trails that facilitated Westward Expansion also colored and labeled. Small illustrations throughout the map and across the top reflect the historical development of the nation, especially in terms of its transportation system.

The verso presents a pictorial map of America in colonial times, from the earliest European settlers to the outbreak of the Revolution.