The College of William and Mary is the second oldest university in the United States. It received its charter from King William III and Queen Mary II of England on February 8, 1693. The charter requested the establishment of a university to teach the subjects of religion and philosophy.

The charter suggested the "Townsends Lands" for the university's location; however, Governor Francis Nicholson decided on Williamsburg, VA. The May Day celebration in 1699 prompted the state capital of Virginia to move to Williamsburg, influencing the university's participation in the two most notable domestic wars.

The College Building, today known as the Wren Building, served as a meeting place throughout the Revolutionary War because the construction of the capital building had not been completed. During the Civil War, Confederates used the campus as barracks and later the Union used it as a hospital.

In addition to its' participation in national history, the university is known as the "Alma Mater" of the country. Various institutions and programs began in America on the campus. The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine started in 1892, and it is the oldest southern magazine still in existence. The forerunner to the American fraternity system, the "F.H.C", began at the College of William and Mary. It was the first secret student society formed in America.

Numerous alumni received their degrees from the university, including former Founding Fathers and Presidents of the nation. Benjamin Franklin received the first honorary degree of a Masters in Arts from the college in 1756. Presidents James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson graduated from the university as well.

The College of William and Mary began as an academic institution, yet the campus's involvement in the nation's past established its prominence in history.

Researched and written by University of West Florida Public History student, Chloe V. Diehl.