What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 specifically set aside for education purposes?

The Land Ordinance of 1785, a significant piece of legislation passed by the Confederation Congress, established a systematic way to survey and sell the lands in the Northwest Territory. One of its key provisions was the allocation of a specific section of land from each township for educational purposes. This meant that for every thirty-six square miles of land surveyed, one section would be set aside to support public education, reflecting the belief that education was vital for the success of the new republic. This approach helped lay the groundwork for a public school system in the United States and emphasized the importance of education in the nation’s development. The focus on setting aside land for education demonstrated a forward-thinking attitude towards the cultivation of knowledgeable citizens essential for democracy.