Charter Day celebrates the creation of the University of Nebraska. On February 15, 1869, Nebraska Governor David C. Butler signed the legislation that included a charter for the university. In 2019, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Charter Day will celebrate 150 years of providing educational opportunities to the state of Nebraska and beyond.

According to one of the earliest student newspapers, The Hesperian, the first Charter Day celebration took place in 1877.  "The Students were made glad, upon Friday, February 16th [1877], by the Chancellor declaring the day to be a holiday. It was a surprise to the students, for Charter Day has been only in name, never before being celebrated." [1] Classes were cancelled on that day, which perhaps caused the day to "ever be remembered for its pleasant reminiscences."[2]

An editorial from 1886, possibly written by Will Owen Jones, editor-in-chief of The Hesperian, states the following about the purpose of Charter Day:

It is appropriate that we turn aside from the regular routine of college work on the fifteenth of February each year to go over with each other the scenes of our early history; to acknowledge our debt of gratitude to those who were instrumental in securing our charter; and to consider our individual duties and responsibilities in the matter of assisting In the upbuilding of this, our cherished institution. [3]

Charter Day celebrations included speeches or remarks by professors, music and recitals by students, and readings, poetry, or skits by members of the literary societies on campus. The activities from the event program were often detailed in the student newspaper or yearbook. Occasionally, entire speeches were published. The March 1884 Hesperian included "Address of Welcome" by J.H. Holmes, "Charter Day Poem," by Awanna H. K. Painter, and "The University From a Student's Standpoint," by A.G. Warner. [4] Some programs from Charter Day celebrations show that events took place on both city and east campus. Events included music by groups such as the Cadet Band, the University Mandolin Club, or the University Glee Club. [5] During the early years events would also include Board of Regents meetings and as the need arose, the induction of a new chancellor or memorials. For instance, the 1906 Charter Day event included a memorial for DeWitt B. Brace, chair of the Department of Physics, after his death on October 2, 1905.

As with many long-term events, the program and entertainment shifted over the years. In 1890, an article in The Nebraskan, a student newspaper, provided some editorial commentary and lamented changes in the program that resulted in "sleepy" audiences.

The old way was to have alumni and prominent educators in the state take part in the program. This made the celebration of charter day something which it ought to be a kind of birthday party for the university. Then the alumni took an interest in charter day.... If on the other hand charter day should be made as of old, a birthday in reality and an endeavor made to secure the attendance of all the alumni great results toward advancing the interests of the university might be accomplished. [6]

In the 1890s, Charter Day events began to include a tour of campus, where buildings and rooms were open to visitors. Students and faculty showcased the educational work of the university. In 1893, The Nebraskan, published an overview of the "red-letter" day and outlined changes to the event, the students and faculty involved in the activies, and the efforts made by everyone on campus for day. [7]

The Silver Anniversary, 25 years, for the University took place in 1894, with plans "to render this celebration worthy of the high standing of the institution..." [8] The program for the two day event included reunions, department and faculty receptions, plays, music by the University Chorus, Orchestra and Banjo clubs, a battalion drill, and a banquet.

Charter Day activities for the semi-centennial anniversary, in 1919, did not take place in February but students at the time were encouraged to "pause a moment today, and consider what the laying of the corner stone of University Hall, has meant to us all. It has meant free education, greater opportunities, a better life." [9] The celebrations were postponed until May 1919 due to the residual effects of World War I. [10] Celebrations were limited during World War II as well.

The first program to that introduces "Charter Day and Midwinter Commencement" on the front page is Feb. 14-15, 1901. Charter remained connected to a midwinter commencement, a connection with lasted until about 1920. [11]

Among the last records related to the early history of Charter Day, in 1949, is a letter canceling classes and outlining activities for the day.  Gene Robb, who provided the address for the 80th Charter Day, began with the following: "We are here tonight as the representatives of the 40,000 men and women graduates of the University of Nebraska at this 80th birthday festival of our school. How pleasant it would be if only all of us, at the age of 80, might have the vitality and spirit of this our common ancestor." [12] The celebration of the University, the educational opportunities provided, and the support to citizens of Nebraska were frequently the topic of addresses given at Charter Day events.

In the mid-1950s, specific Charter Day celebrations tapered off, with only an occasional banquet marking the event. The concept of Charter Day revolved around alumni activities. In 1956, the Chancellor spent the day traveling to visit alumni, according to the Cornhusker annual. [13] This is one of the last mentions specifically referencing Charter Day to appear in the annual.

Resources:

1. Hesperian Student [microform] (Lincoln [Neb.]), 01 Feb. 1877. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080316/1877-02-01/ed-1/seq-19/>
2. Hesperian Student [microform] (Lincoln [Neb.]), 01 Feb. 1877. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080316/1877-02-01/ed-1/seq-26/>
3. Hesperian Student [microform] (Lincoln [Neb.]), 03 March 1884. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080316/1884-03-03/ed-1/seq-7/>
4. Hesperian Student [microform] (Lincoln [Neb.]), 15 Feb. 1886. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080316/1886-02-15/ed-1/seq-2/>
5. Charter Day Program, 1899. Charter Day, Records (RG 00-14-00). University Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
6. Hesperian Student [microform] (Lincoln [Neb.]), 01 March 1890. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080316/1890-03-01/ed-1/seq-6/>
7. The Nebraskan [microform]. (Lincoln, Neb.), 01 Feb. 1893. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080313/1893-02-01/ed-1/seq-3/>
8. Memo, Executive Office, University of Nebraska, (1894), RG 00-14-00, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
9. The Daily Nebraskan (Lincoln, Neb.), 14 Feb. 1919. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1919-02-14/ed-1/seq-2/>
10. Omaha Daily Bee (Omaha [Neb.]), 16 Feb. 1919. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn99021999/1919-02-16/ed-1/seq-13/>
11. Charter Day Program, 1901. RG 00-14-00, Commencement records list mid-winter commencement up until 1920. Beginning in 1948, the records that the term for the commencement became mid-year and last up until approximately 1998.
12. Robb, Gene "Meeting Competition at the University," 80th Charter Day Address, Feb. 15, 1949, RG 00-14-00, Box 1)
13. Cornhusker 1956, http://yearbooks.unl.edu/yearbook.php?year=1956,486#page/62/mode/transcription