USDA Veterans Memorial

Historical marker location:

1400 Jefferson Drive Southwest, The National Mall, District of Columbia

( Memorial is on Jefferson Drive Southwest west of 12th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east.)

Marker installed: 1991

United States Department of Agriculture

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.