Mason–Dixon line

The Mason - Dixon Line, named after the astronomer Charles Mason and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon said, forms the traditional boundary between the north and the southern United States. The line runs essentially east-west direction at 39 ° 43'19 .521 " N latitude.

It was surveyed 1763-1767, to determine the valid to this day border between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and to resolve disputes between families Penn of Pennsylvania and Calvert from Maryland.

The dispute arose because of a faulty map. On this basis, the Charter of the English king establishing this colony of Maryland had the Potomac River and the territory south of the 40th parallel of latitude granted. As a result, would have been credited Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, located on the floor of Maryland. Therefore, the families Calvert and Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon Penn charged with surveying a new valid border.

The Missouri Compromise of 1820, the western continuation of this line was defined as the future border of new slaveholding States; in all newly forming states north of the line slavery should be prohibited, but south of it be allowed. The term " Mason - Dixon Line " is thus far generally used for especially regarding slavery and industrial and social progress important cultural boundary between the Northern and Southern states. He is also one of the possible etymological sources of the terms " Dixie" and " Dixieland ".

Mention in music, literature and film

• One of the songs, in which the line comes up, Across the Mason - Dixon Line, a classic example of the barbershop is.
• The line also plays a role in the song Hey Porter by Johnny Cash.
• Mark Knopfler 2000 published the song Sailing to Philadelphia, which tells the story of the geometer and astronomer.
• Thomas Pynchon 's novel Mason & Dixon published in 1997 based on the origin of this line.
• Rita Mae Brown lets her novels jackets and trousers, bingo and evil tongues in the fictional place play Runnymede, whose center is exactly divided by the Mason - Dixon line.
• In the film, Rocky Balboa from 2006 called Rocky's opponent, the reigning world champion, Mason "The Line " Dixon.