One Hundred and Forty Four years ago today, Governor Henry Haight signed the Organic Act of 1868 establishing the University of California, which was to begin operation in the fall of that year. There are so many people that have been touched by the University of California, and everyone should reflect on what Cal means to them on this important day.

Click Here to view last year's Charter Day video (just change 143 years to 144).

While this great institution has roots back to the private College of California (which was founded by Henry Durant in 1855), it was not until 1868—only 18 years after California was admitted to the union—that the university that we all know and love came into existence. The College of California and later the University of California was founded to try to civilize California and create opportunities to those who could not attend the elite universities of the east. This great university has done just that throughout the years; there is no other university on earth that has the diversity that can be found here and no other university has done more to advance human history and create opportunity than the University of California. No matter what people on the east coast say, or even those on the other side of the bay, this university is, without question, the single greatest university in the world. Many have tried to emulate what Cal has done, but no one has been able to replicate what has been done here in Berkeley. I was told a story fairly recently that a representative of the University of California was at a conference with representatives of many other universities around the country. A representative of the University of Texas came over to the Cal representative and told him that it is their goal to be Berkeley. They wanted to take our faculty and ideals and have UT replace UC . . . they failed because there cannot be another Berkeley, there cannot be another UC. This is the one and only University of California and I could not be more proud to be a part of this great institution and I know that I will cherish my short time here for the rest of my life. March 23, 1868 has proven to be one of the greatest days in human history because the shining light of the world and the glowing example of all educational institutions was founded.

This University shall be a family's glorious old mother, by whose hearth you shall love to sit down. Love her. It does a man good to love noble things, to attach his life to noble allegiances. It is a good thing to love the church, it is a good thing to love the state, it is a good thing to love one's home, it is a good thing to be loyal to one's father and mother, and after the same sort it is good to be loyal to the University, which stands in life for the purest things and the cleanest, loftiest ideals. Cheer for her; it will do your lungs good. Love her; it will do your heart and life good.

—Benjamin Ide Wheeler

Today is also an excellent day to learn our campus Alma Mater (if you do not already know it):

All Hail Blue and Gold,
Thy colors unfold
O’er loyal Californians,
Whose hearts are strong and bold.
All Hail Blue and Gold,
Thy strength ne’er shall fail;
For thee we’ll die,
All Hail! All Hail!

All Hail Blue and Gold,
To thee we shall cling;
O’er golden fields of poppies,
Thy praises we shall sing.
All Hail Blue and Gold,
On Breezes ye sail;
Thy sight we love!
All Hail! All Hail!

Click Here for music from the University of California Marching Band.

HAPPY CHARTER DAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAL!

GO BEARS!