1881 - The Founding of Tuskegee Institute

On June 1, 1881, the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers—now Tuskegee University—officially opened in Tuskegee, Alabama. Founded by Lewis Adams and Booker T. Washington, the institution quickly became a pillar of Black education in the South. Washington emphasized industrial training, self-reliance, and economic development as keys to Black advancement during Reconstruction. Under his leadership, Tuskegee grew into a world-renowned university that educated generations of African American leaders, scientists, educators, and professionals. Its most famous alumni include George Washington Carver, who revolutionized agricultural science. Tuskegee would later become the training ground for the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. This date marks a transformative moment in Black education, symbolizing a shift toward institution-building and long-term investment in Black futures.