UVA's Bicentennial Launch Celebration included a projection mapping show that displayed the University's history on the Rotunda from its founding to present day. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

UVA Ushers in Third Century With Historic Celebration

08 October 2017

School News / Marketing

By Caroline Newman

On 6 October 1817, three U.S. presidents walked down what would become the University of Virginia’s iconic Lawn to witness the laying of UVA’s cornerstone and the beginning of one of the country’s earliest and most illustrious public institutions.

Exactly 200 years later, that same Lawn lit up the night as thousands who have made UVA their own gathered to celebrate its bicentennial.

Read UVA Today’s full coverage of the kickoff of UVA’s Bicentennial Commemoration and see photos from the Bicentennial Launch Celebration.

The Monacan Indian Nation's Tribal Council offered a blessing at the beginning of the night. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

UVA President Teresa A. Sullivan welcomed a crowd of 20,000 to the Lawn on Friday. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

UVA alumna Katie Couric introduced several women who were among the first to graduate after the University became coeducational in 1970. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

The University Singers and the Charlottesville Symphony performed a specially commissioned piece, "We Hold These Truths," focused on Jefferson's authorship of the Declaration of Independence. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

The Martha Graham Dance Company performance included both dance and projection mapping onto the Rotunda. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

Descendants of enslaved laborers at UVA, Monticello, Montpelier and Highland took the stage to tell their ancestors' stories. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

The projection mapping included a virtual Rotunda Fire, recreating the infamous 1895 blaze. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, a UVA English professor, delivered two poems during the evening. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

Singer Andra Day brought the crowd to its feet with her powerful voice. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

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Press Contact

Molly Mitchell
Associate Director of Content Marketing and Social Media
Darden School of Business
University of Virginia
MitchellM@darden.virginia.edu