Booker T. Washington delivers his 'Atlanta Compromise' speech at the Cotton States Exposition, urging Black economic self-help and accommodation.
At a Glance
- Date
- 18 September 1895
- Location
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Key people
- Booker T. Washington
- Category
- Civil Rights Movement
- Source
- Atlanta Exposition Address (1895) · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It made him the most prominent Black leader of his day while drawing sharp criticism from W.E.B. Du Bois.
What It Means Now
The speech frames an enduring debate over strategy in the struggle for equality.
Also on 18 September
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Address.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/booker-t-washingtons-atlanta-address/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Address. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/booker-t-washingtons-atlanta-address/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Address.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/booker-t-washingtons-atlanta-address/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.