Introduced state-supervised compulsory primary education on March 13, 1754.
On March 13, 1754, Maria Theresa enacted the General School Ordinance, radically transforming education by making school attendance mandatory for children aged 6 to 12 within her domains. This directive was a historic first, representing a broader Enlightenment movement towards educational reform. Her decision to institutionalize primary education underscored her belief in enlightened absolutism, where a well-informed populace was seen as central to a strong and stable state. It laid the foundation for modern public education systems, emphasizing the importance of education for societal advancement and national identity.