Instead of a single start date, there have been periods of significant expansion and formalization. In the US, for example, significant growth in adult education programs occurred after the following events:
* Post-World War II: The G.I. Bill spurred a large expansion of educational opportunities for veterans, many of whom were adults. This wasn't solely adult *education* in the sense of literacy programs, but it significantly increased adult access to higher education.
* The Great Society (1960s): Various federal programs under President Lyndon B. Johnson aimed to combat poverty and improve social mobility, including funding for adult basic education and vocational training. This period represents a major step toward a more formalized national approach.
* Continuing into the present: Funding and programs have fluctuated over the decades, but adult education continues to exist through various federal, state, and local initiatives. These initiatives often target specific populations (e.g., the unemployed, immigrants) and address specific needs (e.g., literacy, job skills, English as a Second Language).
Therefore, pinpointing a single start date for a "national adult education program" is inaccurate. The growth and evolution of adult education in the US and elsewhere is a gradual process spread over many decades.