January 23, 1789
Georgetown College, the first Catholic college in the United States, was founded.
Washington, D.C., United States | Society of Jesus
Georgetown College, now known as Georgetown University, was founded on January 23, 1789, establishing itself as the first Catholic college in the United States. Situated in Georgetown, Maryland, which later became part of Washington, D.C., its establishment marked a significant milestone in the history of higher education in America.
The idea of founding a Catholic institution for higher education was primarily driven by John Carroll, a prominent Jesuit priest and a pivotal figure in American Catholicism. Carroll, who later became the first Catholic bishop in the United States, envisioned the college as a place to preserve Catholic education following the restrictions on Catholic schools during the Protestant Reformation. His goal was to create a school that could serve both Catholic and non-Catholic students, promoting inclusivity in education.
1773: The suppression of the Jesuit Order by Pope Clement XIV meant the Jesuits could no longer operate their educational institutions freely across Europe.
1783: With the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War, there was a new opportunity to establish a Jesuit educational institution without the restrictions currently seen in Europe.
1786: John Carroll and other Jesuit associates purchased land in Georgetown.
On January 23, 1789, Georgetown College was formally established. The college started with a single building and initially served a small number of students. Classes commenced in 1792, with the institution welcoming students of various denominations, which attested to Carroll’s vision of an inclusive academic community.
The establishment of Georgetown College marked an essential development in American higher education, with the college evolving into a distinguished university that still stands today.
It set a precedent for Catholic higher education in the United States, paving the way for the establishment of similar institutions across the country.
Georgetown became a center for promoting the values of Jesuit education, emphasizing rigorous academics, social justice, and service to the global community.
The college’s founding occurred just before the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, during a period of significant political and social transformation in America.
Georgetown University continues to be a prestigious educational institution, maintaining its Jesuit traditions while growing into a global leader in academia, research, and public service.
Source: en.wikipedia.org