The idea of public education in America began with the Land Ordinance of 1785. This law split the Northwest Territory into townships. Among other things, it set aside land for the public to use. Taxes raised from this land went to pay for schools. In the late 1700s when America was young, the idea of a public education system was relatively new and radical. Other countries only provided for private schools. When Congress later passed the Northwest Ordinance to settle the lands of the Northwest Territory, the law stated that knowledge was "necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind." In addition, it specified that "schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." As America grew, this idea spread. This idea of public education allowed each state to educate its children. It also allowed each town to pay for a school.
