Were You There? Brooklyn College has never been a dull place. Social change, clashes with authority, and the constant battle over academic freedom have marked this College, which from its earliest days has had a reputation for student activism. Here we recall some particularly memorable moments of the past seventy—five years. There has always been tension between students and administration, and, motivated by youthful ideals, students have periodically engaged in peaceful-and not so peaceful-protest. It's an inevitable process as each generation of Brooklyn's best and brightest meets the challenges of their education and their world.

1930s 1930 September 18. First day of classes at Brooklyn College. 1932 June 21. Brooklyn College celebrated its first Commencement Exercises, awarding diplomas to eighty-nine students. The valedictorian was Bernard H. Stern, who would later teach English at Brooklyn College for thirty-seven years. In 1989 he donated $250,000 to establish the Stern Professorship in Humor, a rotating faculty position in humor studies. 1935 October 2. Ground was broken by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia for the creation of the Brooklyn College campus. 1937 October 18. The Brooklyn College campus officially opened. Laboratory tables formerly used in the downtown campus were moved and installed in the science building. Some remain today. 1939 July 1. Harry Gideonse became the College's second president.

BC Timeline:  1930s  ||  1940s  ||  1950s  ||  1960s  ||  1970s  ||  1980s  ||  1990s  ||  2000s

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