c) Land-grant colleges

The 1862 Morrill Act was instrumental in establishing land-grant colleges in the United States. This act allocated federal land to states to fund the establishment of colleges specializing in agriculture, mechanics, and engineering. This groundbreaking legislation aimed to make higher education more accessible and practical, focusing on teaching agriculture, military tactics, and the mechanical arts as well as classical studies. Land-grant colleges played a crucial role in expanding educational opportunities and fostering innovation and development in various practical fields.