Michigan Now logo

Past traditions

By Kevin Brown
The University Record

Estimated reading time: 1 minutes
In 1876, students pose at a smoker’s club gathering. Smokers were social events that became popular in American universities near the beginning of the 20th century, specifically among male students. Female students were known to hold smokeless smokers. Courtesy “Caps, Canes, Pushball and Smokers, Student Life at the University of Michigan” exhibit, Bentley Historical Library

This month in history (117 years ago)

In November 1896, the University of Michigan Band held its first rehearsal. At the behest of University President James Burrill Angell that the newly-formed band prove itself to be a “sincere venture,” the band gave its first public performance in 1897. The first appearance on a football field was in fall 1898.

— Michigan Marching Band Website

 

Topics: