Minnesota accepted its allotment under the Morrill Land-Grant Act and used funds from the sale of the land to build the University of Minnesota. The Morrill Land-Grant Act was landmark legislation that led to the founding of 69 colleges throughout the United States and opened opportunities of higher education for generations of Americans.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Joint Resolution of the Legislature of the State of Minnesota accepting the donation of lands by Congress . . . [Morrill Act], approved January 27, 1863
Creating Land-Grant Colleges
In 1857 Representative Justin S. Morrill of Vermont first introduced legislation supporting state agricultural and technical colleges through federal land grants. Morrill’s proposed legislation allocated to states undeveloped federal land proportionate to their congressional representation. Both southern and western states opposed the act, decrying it as a federal incursion into states’ rights concerning education that gave advantages to more populous eastern states. President James Buchanan vetoed Morrill’s bill in1859, but Congress passed it again after Southern states seceded. The Morrill Land Grant Act became law in 1862.
Minnesota accepted its allotment under the Morrill Land-Grant Act and used funds from the sale of the land to build the University of Minnesota. The Morrill Land-Grant Act was landmark legislation that led to the founding of 69 colleges throughout the United States and opened opportunities of higher education for generations of Americans.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
