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Jamestown Established
The first permanent English settlement in North America is established by the Virginia Company at Jamestown in what is now the state of Virginia -
Arrivial of the Mayflower
The Mayflower arrives at Cape Cod, bringing the "Pilgrims" who establish the Plymouth Colony. Many of the Pilgrims are Puritans who had fled religious persecution in England. Their religious views come to dominate education in the New England colonies. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th. Written by Thomas Jefferson, The document serves notice to King George III and the rest of the world that the American Colonies no longer considered themselves part of the British Empire. -
Ratification of the Constiution
The U. S. Constitution is ratified by the required number of states. -
Civil War Begins
The U.S. Civil War begins when South Carolina secedes from the union and along with 10 other states forms the Confederate States of American. The shooting begins when Fort Sumter is attacked on April 12. With the exception of the First Morrill act of 1862, educational progress is essentially put on hold until the war's end. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln signs the "Emancipation Proclamation" on January 1. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment is passed, abolishing slavery. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment is ratified, giving women the right to vote. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression begins with the stock market crash in October. The U.S. economy is devastated. Public education funding suffers greatly, resulting in school closings, teacher layoffs, and lower salaries. -
Brown v. Board
On May 17th, the U.S. Supreme Court announces its decision in the case of Brown v. Board. of Education of Topeka, ruling that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," thus overturning its previous ruling in the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson. Brown v. Board of Education is actually a combination of five cases from different parts of the country. It is a historic first step in the long and still unfinished journey toward equality in U.S. education.
