This booklet provides a brief historical outline of the development of community and junior colleges in the United States. After a discussion of the philosophical basis of community college education, the booklet considers the origins of the community college movement, tracing its history from the Morrill Act of 1862 which led to the creation of land grant colleges; discussing legislation passed in California in the early 20th Century to develop and fund junior colleges in the state; and reviewing the development of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges from its creation in 1920. Next, the significance of the 1944 GI Bill and the 1947 Truman Commission on Higher Education are discussed in relation to the mission of community colleges in the post World War II period. The boom years of community college growth from 1960 are then discussed with reference to key events and figures; the rise of statewide systems and state support; the growth of the open door concept and the increases in student financial aid during this period; the role of leadership in the era of growth and in the future; the position of student services and the increase in part-time students; and the changing mission of community colleges. Finally, an outline of the community college today discusses changes in college governance, methods of maintaining leadership, the changing political context, and the development of a body of literature on the community college. (HB)