TAXES: The Jackpot

During last month's income-tax jackpot period—the five days from March 16 to March 20—the U.S. Government collected more money than it was able to dredge up from all sources in the entire 83 years from 1789 through 1871. Gross Treasury receipts for the five days hit $5,583,000,000. During the 83 years—a period in which the U.S. fought the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War, made the Louisiana Purchase from France, bought Florida from Spain and purchased Alaska from Russia—the Government took in only $5,418,000,000.

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