FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2025-200

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (December 2, 2025) – Today’s edition of Fun with Maps comes from the warm comforts of the Loveland Beacon writing studio with a pure white snow blanketing Lovely Loveland outdoors.  

MANIFEST DESTINY

On December 2, 1845, President Polk addressed Congress and encouraged the aggressive westward expansion of the United States.  Later labeled a “manifest destiny” proclamation, Polk never used that term.

“Manifest destiny” was a popular belief/movement of the mid-1800s that espoused the idea of the United States expansion being a divine right. 

During Polk’s single term in office from 1845-1849, the country expanded to include the state of Texas; the Oregon Territory which became the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and part of Montana and Wyoming: and territory from Mexico which became California, Nevada, Utah and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.

By the end of President Polk’s term in office, the United States had become the country that spread “from sea to shining sea.”

This Colton map of much of the US West is from 1865.  

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.