Interstate Commerce Act of 1887

The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 became law on February 4, providing regulation for the [Page 856]railroads in the United States that, prior to the law's passage, had no established form of regulation at the national level. The legislation created the Interstate Commerce Commission (1887–1995) to oversee and investigate violations of the law by individuals and companies.

The origins of the Interstate Commerce Act go back to 1869, when railroads connected the United States from coast to coast. Prior to passage of the law, the regulation of the ...