African American man standing by Booker T. Washington statue at Tuskegee University; The statue says, He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry. The Lifting the Veil of Ignorance Monument is located on the campus of Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama � Macon County) and was unveiled and dedicated on April 15, 1922. During the ceremony, over 100,000 people attended and paid tribute to the founder of Tuskegee University, Booker T. Washington. Created by sculptor Charles Keck, the bronze monument portrays Booker T. Washington lifting the veil of ignorance off his people, symbolized by a terrified slave, and pointing the way to progress and a better life through education and industry. The slave holds a book which represents education and crouches on a plow and anvil, the tools of agriculture and industry which were the fields that Booker T. Washington chose to educate his fellow African-Americans.. (http://blackartblog.blackartdepot.com/features/african-american-monuments-statues/lifting-veil-ignorance-monument-tribute-booker-washington.html) Booker Taliaferro Washington was born April 5, 1856 in Hale�s Ford, Franklin County, Virginia, and died November 14, 1915 in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He founded Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama (now known as Tuskegee University). From the university's website: Booker T. Washington's funeral on November 17, 1915 was held in the Tuskegee Institute Chapel, and was attended by nearly 8,000 people. He was buried on campus in a brick tomb, made by students, on a hill commanding a view of the entire campus.