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Queen’s University is reviving a tricolour tradition, but with a modern twist.

Queen’s Day – formerly known as University Day – is Oct. 16 and marks the date in 1841 that Queen’s was granted its Royal Charter from Queen Victoria. Later that year Queen’s established the date as University Day, which, over the next century, was celebrated on campus with a range of events from track and field contests to concerts to fireworks.

A backdrop has been set up on the west wall of Summerhill for a special Queen’s Day photo opportunity. At the same time, a series of Queen’s Day frames and filters have been set up for Facebook and Snapchat. (Communications Staff)

However, the event was halted during the Second World War. It returned briefly in 1991 as the university celebrated its sesquicentennial but ended there. 

Fast-forward now to the university’s 178^th anniversary and Oct. 16 will once again be a day to remember – this time as Queen’s Day. In organizing the event the Office of Advancement has partnered with the Alma Mater Society (AMS), to set up a program calling on the Queen’s community to show off their tricolour, with a particular emphasis on social media.

Throughout the day, Queen’s students, alumni, faculty, and staff, are being encouraged to take pictures of themselves and their friends and tag the Queen’s Alumni social media accounts – , , and  – for a chance to win a prize pack. For those on campus, a backdrop will be set up on the west wall of Summerhill for a special Queen’s Day photo opportunity. At the same time, a series of Queen’s Day frames and filters have been set up for Facebook and Snapchat.

“There is a great sense of pride within the Queen’s community – students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends,” says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. “Queen’s has a very rich history of community engagement and reviving this celebration in the 21^st century shows the evolution of our institution and the promise of a bright future.  I hope those who support Queen’s will join me in wearing the tricolor.”

Also on Queen’s Day, staff, faculty, and students wearing tricolour on campus will receive a 50 per cent discount on hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) with their reusable mug in any size at Starbucks in Goodes Hall, Starbucks in Mitchell Hall, Goodes Café, The Library Café, Mac Corry, The Lazy Scholar, Location 21, Gord’s Fresh Café, Student Street (West Campus), Tim Hortons in the Queen's Centre, Tim Hortons in the JDUC, and Tim Hortons in the Biosciences building.

Note: This article originally appeared in the Queen's Gazette.