On May 21, 1833, Oberlin College in Ohio took a groundbreaking step toward educational equality by enrolling Black students in its academic programs. It became one of the first colleges in the United States to admit students regardless of race or gender, setting a powerful precedent in the fight for inclusive education.

Significance: This act marked a radical shift in American higher education. At a time when slavery still gripped the South and many Northern institutions excluded African Americans, Oberlin stood as a beacon of progressive values and abolitionist principles. The college later became a hub for anti-slavery activism and a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Legacy: Oberlin’s commitment to racial inclusion helped lay the groundwork for the broader movement toward educational access and civil rights in the United States.