Our Stories

Momentous Moments

Filter by theme to explore the people, decisions, and breakthroughs that shaped Northwestern over 175 years.

1853

Northwestern purchases the Foster Farm, laying the foundation for Evanston and the University

1855

Northwestern opens its doors to students

1871

A tradition of Lake Michigan lifesaving begins

1874

Northwestern’s first female graduate earns her degree

1893

Northwestern University Press begins publishing

1908

Northwestern sends its first Rhodes Scholar to Oxford

1926

The Chicago campus in Streeterville is born

1929

The first Waa-Mu show takes the stage

1949

Northwestern defeats California to win its first Rose Bowl

1949

Northwestern enters the computer age

1954

Northwestern begins collecting Africa's stories

1964

Northwestern makes room for the future

1968

Student activists take over the Bursar’s Office, a catalyst for key changes

1975

Dancers take the floor at the first Dance Marathon

1996

Wildcats go from conference underdogs to the Rose Bowl

1996

Princess Diana shines a light on Northwestern's cancer research

2000

Northwestern thinks big by looking small

2005

Women’s athletics dominance begins with first NCAA championship

2014

Northwestern welcomes a sitting president

2015

Northwestern’s Arts Circle comes to life

2015

Student entrepreneurship expands with The Garage

2015

Northwestern helps hear the universe

2017

Men's basketball secures a spot in the NCAA tournament

2025

Joel Mokyr receives the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences

2026

New Ryan Field readies for its first game