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History of Multicultural Education

  • The first free school was opened

    The first free school was opened
    The first free school was opened in Virginia. It was essentially the first "public" school and marks the beginning of free education for children.
  • A Grammatical Institute of the English Language

    A Grammatical Institute of the English Language
    Because Noah Webster was unhappy with English text books, he wrote his own. It has never been out of print and it is now called the American Spelling Book. This is significant to multicultural education because it was America's first text book.
  • The Young Ladies Academy

    The Young Ladies Academy
    The Young Ladies Academy was opened marking the inclusion of the female culture in education.
  • Connecticut Asylum at Hartford

    Connecticut Asylum at Hartford
    The Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons was opened. It was the 1st school specifically for the deaf population in the U.S. In 1864, Gallanden University was opened, the first university for the deaf. It is the mark of inclusion in education, although still segregated from the main stream population, for those with disabilities.
  • The New England Asylum for the Blind

    The New England Asylum for the Blind
    The first school for children with visual disabilities was opened in 1829 in Massachusetts.
  • Mount Holyoke Female Seminary

    Mount Holyoke Female Seminary
    The first college for women was opened with 80 students and a female president, Mary Lyon. This marks the beginning of higher education for women.
  • The Peabody Fund

    The Peabody Fund
    Gearoge Peabody funds the $2 million dollar Peabody Education Fund to aid public education in the south. This event marks an effort to make sure the disadvantaged received a good education.
  • Howard University

    Howard University
    Howard University is the first college to be opened for African Americans. It is originally funded by Freedmens Bureau. This event marks the inclusion of African Americans in higher education, although, still segregated.
  • Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka

    Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka
    For well over 100 years, after the creation of public schools, school remained segregated. Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka determined that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. This was the first historical event that ruled in favor of integration in schools.
  • Ruby Bridges

    Ruby Bridges
    1st grader, Ruby Bridges, is the first African American to attend William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans. Her class quickly becomes a class of 1 as all of the parents removed their caucasian children from the school. This event marks our history as still being resistant to change and inclusion and shows how much farther we still have to go.