Every Day Is Special: Cambridge

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June 16 - Universities Open to All!

Posted on June 16, 2022

This is an update of my post published on June 16, 2011:

Above and below: Oxford

When they were founded, the famous and prestigious British universities of Oxford and Cambridge were open only to Anglicans (also known as adherents of the Church of England).

Catholics, Quakers, other non-conforming Christians, and Jews (let alone Muslims, avowed atheists, and folks who practiced other faiths) were not welcome.

Oxford Museum of Natural History

Actually, it is not so simple. Apparently the law required students to sign “39 Articles” of agreement with particular Anglican dogma; those who were unwilling to sign were not awarded diplomas. Also, the universities had rules about non-adherents being employed as professors or university officers, or being awarded fellowships, and students and staff were required to attend Anglican religious services.

Even some people who belonged to the Church of England weren't able to earn diplomas in the school because they didn't agree with all 39 statements and wouldn't “sell out” their beliefs by pretending they did. The artist William Morris is in this category.

William Morris is considered by some to be "the Father
of the Arts and Crafts Movement."

On this date in 1871, Parliament passed the Universities Test Act, thereby opening the universities to all who were academically qualified, regardless of religion or lack of religion. The act also abolished the rule of mandatory worship for students and staff.

Many see this act as a great advancement in freedom of religion.

Above and below: Cambridge

Also on this date:

Apache leader Geronimo's birthday

Anniversary of the first Ladies' Day at a baseball game

International Day of the African Child

Fudge Day

World Sea Turtle Day

Sussex Day in the U.K.

Father's Day in the Seychelles

Bloomsday in Ireland

Dump the Pump Day

(Third Thursday of June)

Plan ahead:

Check out my Pinterest boards for:

June holidays

June birthdays

Historical anniversaries in June

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

June 10 – The First University Boat Race

Posted on June 10, 2014

I doubt very much if June 10, 1829, was the date of the very first boat race at a university. But it is the date of the first “University Boat Race.”

Which is to say, Cambridge vs. Oxford.

That rivalry may mean nothing to you, but trust me, people in England and the United Kingdom generally know all about the rivalry between these two universities.

Actually, the universities have a lot in common. They are the two oldest universities in the U.K. – and two of the three oldest surviving universities in the world. And when I say “old”...well, they're pretty darned old! They were founded more than 800 years ago.

Between the two of them (the two are sometimes called “Oxbridge”), they have produced many of Britain's most important scientists, writers, and politicians. They still have the top two rankings for academic reputation in all of the U.K., and in all of the world other than the U.S. (the top six universities in the world are considered to be Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, the University of California-Berkeley, and Stanford). They both have publishing houses, botanical gardens, museums, debating societies, science parks, and theatrical groups.

And let's not forget their boat clubs!

The two universities started in rivalry with each other, actually, since Cambridge was founded by scholars who had fled from a fight with the townsfolk of Oxford.

And now for The Race:

Cambridge student Charles Merivale challenged his friend at Oxford, Charles Wordsworth, in a boat race in 1829. In that June 10 race, Cambridge lost – and rather badly, too!

The race had been held at the town of Henley-on-Thames (Thames being the river's name). There were a few re-matches held in other places, and it took a while for the tradition to become an annual event. But since 1856, the Boat Race has been held in Henley, on the Thames River, every year except during World Wars I and II.

It's a race of the blues: Cambridge's color is light blue, and Oxford's is dark blue. So far, Cambridge has one 81 times, and Oxford 78 times. There was one year when they finished in a “dead heat” – a complete and total tie! (But that was back in 1877, before TV cameras and replays. Modern judges would probably be able to call a winner in a similarly close race.)

How exciting is blue-vs.-blue? Well, from 250,000 to 270,000 people watch from the banks of the river each year, and millions more people watch it on TV.

After all, you never know when something exciting like a mutiny (1987) or a sinking (1912) will happen! Not to mention clashing oars (2001 and this year!) and a protester stopping the race (2012)!

Also on this date:

Author/ illustrator Maurice Sendak's birthday

Abolition of Slavery Day in French Guiana

Portugal Day

(a.k.a. Camoes Day)

Anniversary of the invention of the “outlook envelope”

Plan ahead:

Check out my Pinterest boards for:

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

June 16, 2011 - Universities Open to All

Oxford

– 1871

When they were founded, the famous and prestigious British universities of Oxford and Cambridge were open only to Anglicans (also known as adherents of the Church of England). Catholics, Quakers, other non-conforming Christians, and Jews (let alone avowed atheists) were not welcome.