BYU celebrates 150 years of history and tradition

BYU is turning 150 this coming Thursday. Exactly a century and a half ago, on Oct. 16, 1875, the deed of trust was signed for the founding of Brigham Young Academy. The first classes began 2½ months later, in January 1876.

To celebrate turning a century and a half, without interruption, BYU is throwing a yearlong party. All over campus, you’ll find displays, signs and banners shouting “happy birthday.” South of the administration building, for example, the grounds department has spelled out “150” in a huge arrangement of plants.

But you’ll find no better context for what it means for BYU to turn 150, and what’s gone into getting here, than on the bottom floor of the Harold B. Lee Library, where an exhibit five years in the making lays out a quintessential timeline of BYU history.

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