Although it doesn’t look a day over 149, today the University of Illinois celebrates its 150th birthday. 150 years ago today, on February 28, 1867, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation creating the Illinois Industrial University, known today as the University of Illinois.

The University today launched its Sesquicentennial Celebration, with events planned go on for the next fifteen months. Festivities began this afternoon with a celebration at the University’s Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana.

Let’s all join in celebrating the 150th birthday of our premiere state university.