HBCU, On This Day in History

On This Day in 1867: Howard University Is Founded

Clay Cane
March 2, 2026

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(AURN News) — On this day, March 2, 1867, Howard University was established in Washington, D.C., in the aftermath of the Civil War.

After the war ended, members of the First Congregational Society of Washington sought to establish a seminary to educate newly freed African American clergymen. They soon expanded their vision to include a liberal arts college and a medical school, and their idea grew into what is now known as Howard University.

The school was named after Union Gen. Oliver O. Howard, a Civil War leader and commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau.

In this March 2, 1965 file photo, The Rev. Martin Luther King speaks at a Charter Day ceremony at Howard University in Washington. King discussed his civil rights movement theme, “We shall overcome.” (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)

By 1960, the university had expanded to 10 fully accredited schools and colleges, serving roughly 6,000 students.

The institution boasts many distinguished alumni, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Chadwick Boseman and Vice President Kamala Harris. Today, Howard remains a global leader, producing more African American Ph.D. graduates on campus than any other university in the world.

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Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC. Twitter: @claycane