Upheaval and Activism

Historical marker location:

3118 16th Street Northwest, Mount Pleasant, District of Columbia

( Marker is on 16th Street Northwest north of Irving Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north.)

Village in the City. Mount Pleasant Heritage Trail

The District was the site of the first U.S. public school for black students: The M Street School (later known as Dunbar High School) was founded in 1870 and was the first public school in the United States for black students. The school became known for its high academic standards and produced many notable alumni, including civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune.