Today we discussed the importance of almanacs in early American literature. We also discussed the growth of public education in 16th and 17th century America - but it only existed in the northern colonies and it was only available to white males. Women, slaves and Indians had virtually no access to education. We learned about the establishment of some of the finest universities in America, beginning with Harvard in 1636. The first medical school was founded by Benjamin Franklin in what is now known as the Univ. of PA. By the mid-18th century, colonial Drs. had successfully discovered and implemented an innoculation for smallpox in the colonies. At the dawn of the 18th century, vast differences were apparent between England and its American colony. This will lead to increased tension between them.