May 22

On May 22, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his historic “Great Society” speech at the University of Michigan. In the address, Johnson presented a broad national vision focused on reducing poverty, confronting racial injustice, improving cities, protecting natural resources, and strengthening education. His comments were especially important for education because he identified America’s classrooms as one of the central places where the Great Society would be built. Johnson argued that poverty should not prevent learning and that every child needed access to a quality education. This vision helped shape later Great Society legislation, including major federal investments in public education and programs designed to expand opportunity for students from low-income families.