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The Beginning
On April 5, 1856 Booker Taliaferro Washington was born into slavery, in Franklin Coutny, VA. -
Freedom
Booker T. Washington and his family were freed by Emancipation. They moved to Malden, West Virginia. -
Founding Tuskegee
Washington Founded Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institiue (now Tuskegee University) in 1881, The school was set up in an abandoned church and shanty. The school offered trades such as mechanics, carpentry, and farming. Although he recieved some criticism, Washington believed that black people could benefit from a practical, vocational education, more than a college education. -
Promoting Peace
During the late 1800's, more black people were becoming victims to lynchings and unfair acts under Jim Crows Laws, Booker T. urged black americans to stop demanding equal rights and to simply "get along with whites" while he demanded white people give blacks better jobs. -
The Atlanta Compromise
In 1895, Washington gave a famous speech known as the Atlanta Compromise. While giving this speech he recited his famous quote "In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress." -
Autobiography
Washington described his story in his famous autobiography "Up from Slavery." -
Death
Booker T. Washington died on November 14, 1915. The doctor's medical records said Washington died of "racial characteristics," but many now believe it to be high blood pressure. -
National Monument
The Booker T. Washington national monument is located near Franklin County,Virginia and is located on the old tobacco farm where Washington was born. The site was dedicated as a national monument on April 2, 1956.
