Early National American Education

  • The first public library in the U.S. founded

    The Library Company of Philadelphia was founded by Benjamin Franklin
  • University of Pennsylvania Founded

    Founded by Benjamin Franklin, this was the first university in the US.
  • Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge

    A bill by Thomas Jefferson that proposed a three-tiered system of public schools, which became the elementary, middle, and high schools of today.
  • American Revolution

    This fueled American independence and resulted in a new era of education
  • Young Ladies' Academy of Philadelphia Established

    This was the first institution for women in higher-education.
  • An Act To Provide For The Instruction Of Youth Passed

    The first piece of legislation passed that demanded all towns of a certain size to open a free, public high school.
  • Free School Society Created

    Mayor DeWitt Clinton formed the FSS to make school free of charge to include those in poverty in American Education.
  • Boston Latin School Established

    This was the first public high school in the US, although it was established in 1635, it was only made public in 1820.
  • Common School Movement

    An educational reform that sought to use public funds to pay for schools.
  • Massachusetts Board of Education Founded

    The second board of education ever was founded in America, which encouraged the same from the rest of the US. Supported by Horace Mann