1950s
October 8, 1955
“Local Negroes Request Integration For Charlottesville School Children”
By Tom Martin
After the Supreme Court had made a decision that segregating public schools was unconstitutional in the spring of 1954, local black Charlottesville residents petitioned that their children should be able to attend non-segregated schools over a year later. At the time there were a total of about 1,000 black students and 3,500 white students enrolled in Charlottesville public schools.
1960s
October 11, 1960
“Johnson Urges Religious Tolerance In Whistle-Stop Speech Here”
By Richard Terrell
In 1960, Lyndon B. Johnson — the Democratic vice-presidential candidate at the time — visited Charlottesville during his campaign tour with 2,000 students and local townspeople in attendance. In his address, he affirmed the importance of religious freedom and declared that the Democratic Party would maintain a majority in Congress despite potential losses.
1970s
October 9, 1974
“Most Students Have Psychic Experiences”
By Marjorie Leedy
Photo By Stan Parchman
A survey on psychic experiences done in 1974 worked to collect data on occurrences such as deja-vu, out of body experiences and waking ESP experiences. The results of this study concluded that about 90 percent of university students have had at least one psychic experience. It also found that individuals under 30 and those with less education tend to report these experiences more frequently.
1980s
October 8, 1984
“To be a University Guide”
By Tara Solomon
Photo by Greg Vining
By 1984, the University Guide Service, established by Mary Betts in the 1950s, had become a prestigious and competitive organization, accepting only eight percent of applicants each year. The selection process involved interviews and a trial tour which was judged by experienced guides. With 90 members at the time, the service conducted seven tours each day which highlighted the University's rich history. They also hosted special events such as candlelight tours during Historic Garden Week and Poe Weekend.
1990s
October 8, 1992
“Couple affirms same-sex union”
By Brad Willett
Photos by Terry Vance
Twenty-three years before gay marriage was legalized in the United States, a gay couple — Craig Dean and Patrick Gill — spoke at Gilmer Hall Auditorium about their fight to become the first legally married same-sex couple in the United States. In their speech, they condemned statements made by President Bush and Pat Buchanan — a conservative political commenter — which opposed same-sex marriage. They emphasized that their relationship had the “same degree of love and commitment” as heterosexual relationships.
2000s
October 11, 2006
“Engineering student designs class featuring popular University faculty”
By Thomas Madrecki
Emily Ewell, a fourth-year Engineering student, created the course “U.Va.'s Unforgettable Lectures” 18 years ago and is still a class you can take today. The class features a weekly rotating lecture series with a professor speaking on any topic of their choice, a structure which ideally encourages students to engage with well-known faculty they may not have previously had the chance to interact with.