Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965)

This bill provided massive federal aid to help public and parochial schools purchase textbooks and new library materials. This was the first time there had been federal funding for education below the college level.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ((ESEA) on April 11, 1965

Higher Education Act (1965)

This provided federal scholarships and financial aid for post secondary programs. This is widely known today for colleges, trade schools, etc.

Photograph of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Act, 11-08-1965, National Archives Catalog

Project Head Start (1965)

This was an 18-week government-funded program that provided preschool children from lower-class families the opportunity to acquire physical, mental, and emotional growth. 

In this New York Post photo from the summer of 1965, Elizabeth Ching is first in line at PS 177 in New York City to register for Head Start. (Louis Liotta (c) NYP Holdings, Inc. / Getty Images)