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Yesterday (Feb. 7) was a big day for Case Western Reserve University—it marked the institution’s 196th birthday.
The charter for Western Reserve College, then located in Hudson, Ohio, was issued on Feb. 7, 1826. However, according to the archived CWRU history blog Recollections, it was likely days before the institution’s trustees received word on the charter. In addition to slow-moving communications in the 1820s (before telegraphs were invented and railroad tracks crossed the map), cold, snowy weather hampered efforts in delivering the message.
Throughout the years, celebrations have been held to mark the day, including for the 75th, 100th, 125th and 150th anniversaries.