1862 Land Grant College Act

The 1862 Land Grant College Act, also known as the Morrill Act, was a law that provided states with federal land to establish colleges focused on agriculture, science, and engineering. States could sell these lands to fund the new institutions, making higher education more accessible to the broader public. This act helped create many of today’s public universities, promoting practical education to support economic development and innovation. It marked a significant step in expanding educational opportunities and encouraging scientific progress across the United States.