jan 1, 1840 - Rhode Island passes compulsory attendance law

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Compulsory education is not a right guaranteed by the US Constitution.

The US Constitution¹s 10th Amendment implies that education is the responsibility of the respective states.

Rhode Island was the first state to have compulsory education in 1840, Massachusetts was the second in 1852, and it was provided in all existing states by 1918.

However, children with disabilities and African-Americans were often still excluded from public schools.

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