Booker T. Washington

By Teronia Campbell

  • Birth

    Booker T. Washington is born a slave on the Burroughs’ Plantation.

  • Emancipation

    The Civil War ends and Washington becomes one of the four million slaves to be emancipated. During the fall, Washington sets out for Malden, WV with his mother (Jane), and two siblings (brother, John and sister, Amanda) to start new life with stepfather, Washington Ferguson.

  • Hampton

    Washington leaves his home to attend the Hampton Institute. He graduated with honors in 1875.

  • Wayland Seminary School

    Washington spends 18 months studying in Washington D.C. at the Wayland Seminary School.

  • Tuskegee

    At age 25, Washington opens the Tuskegee Institute in an old church.

  • First building

    The first building of the Tuskegee Institute is built by the students with bricks they made themselves.

  • Harvard

    Washington is presented with an honorary degree from Harvard University.