How a Creative Tobacco Tax Built One of America's First Public Colleges in 1693

Where did the American local government find the funds for one of the first public colleges? City leaders in Williamsburg, Virginia, got creative—they used a special tobacco tax! 🌿 The College of William & Mary was founded in 1693 under a royal charter from King William III and Queen Mary II, but the colony needed money to keep it running. 💰

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At the time, tobacco was Virginia’s most important cash crop, so they decided to tax tobacco sales to support the college. This gave the school a steady stream of funding while tying education to the colony’s biggest industry. 📚 It was a smart move that helped the college thrive in its early years!

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Thanks to this tobacco tax, Thomas Jefferson graduated from William & Mary and went on to become the third president of the United States! 🇺🇸 Comedian and formerhost Jon Stewart also attended William & Mary. 🎓 Today, it’s recognized as a "Public Ivy," offering top-tier education at a public institution’s value.

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All of this was made possible by bold leaders who thought outside the box to manage America's public infrastructure. 💡