From small beginnings
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13th February 1815
Our great society was founded.
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20th February 1815
First Debate Held.
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24th March 1817
Proctors burst into the Union and suspend debates.
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March 1821
Debates resume with restrictions.
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26th November 1829
First debate against the Oxford Union.
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1830
Debating permitted with no restrictions.
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1832
Union moves from The Red Lion, Petty Cury, to The Hoop Inn, Bridge St.
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1850
Union moves from The Hoop Inn to a former Methodist chapel in Green St.
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Lent 1850
First Jewish President elected (six years before Jews allowed to take their degrees).
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1857
Building fund established to construct premises of the Union's own.
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Michaelmas 1862
First American President Elected.
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4th June 1864
Foundation stone for Union building laid.
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30th October 1866
Union Building officially opened.
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Michaelmas 1882
First ethnic minority President elected.
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24th February 2886
New wing of the building opened.
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1887
First guest speakers invited to debates.
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Lent 1905
John Maynard Keynes is President.
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26th May 1910
President Theodore Roosevelt visits the Union.
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1912
Union votes against admitting female members 127 - 63.
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8th May 1914
Election of officers suspended for First World War.
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13th February 1915
Union's 100th anniversary passes unmarked.
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February 1919
Debates and elections resume.
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Michaelmas 1919
Highest division recorded in a Union debate (1003 members).
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Lent 1920
Winston Churchill speaks in a debate.
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15th November 1921
Belated celebrations for the Union's centenary held with future King George VI.
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Michaelmas 1925
First Labour Party supporting President elected.
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Easter 1931
Women guests permitted inside the Union for meals.
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Lent 1933
'This House prefers facism to socialism' defeated 335 - 218.
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1933
Substantial redecoration of the Union building; library moved upstairs.
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Easter 1936
Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, visits the Union.
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Lent 1939
Floor debate and 'points of information' introduced to debates.
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October 1939
Election of officers suspended for Second World War; RAF comandeer building.
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28th July 1942
Union hit by Luftwaffe bombs; three people killed.
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28th-31st March 1944
Union commandeered by the army for D-Day planning.
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October 1944
Elections resume; RAF cease use of the building.
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11th June 1946
First female guest speakers (Lady Bonham Carter and Viscountess Davidson MP).
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Easter 1950
First televised Union debate (from Alexandra Palace).
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May Week 1950
Cambridge Union vs. Oxford Union boat race on the river Cam.
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23rd April 1955
A separate Women's Union Society holds its first debate.
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24th April 1953
Recollections of the Cambridge Union, 1815-1939 by Percy Cradock Published.
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Lent 1958
Jennifer Platt (Newnham) becomes the first female student to speak in a debate.
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1960-1964
The 'Cambridge Mafia' - Leon Brittan, John Gummer, Michael Howard, Ken Clarke and Norman Lamont - all President.
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4th November 1963
The Union votes to admit women 499 - 180.
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Michaelmas 1964
Sheena Matheson (Girton) first woman on Standing Committee.
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13th February 1965
Union's 150th anniversary celebrated with a dinner and debate.
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Michaelmas 1967
Ann Mallalieu (Newnham) first female President.
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12th May 1970
HRH The Prince of Wales (later HM King Charles III) makes his maiden speech at the Union.
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May Week 1975
Union chamber damaged by fire; substantial repairs needed.
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25th February 1978
Footlights move into the Union Cellars.
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Michaelmas 1981
The Union becomes a registered charity.
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28th November 1981
Celebratory feast held at King's to mark the Union's 500th term.
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March 1990
Disco held to mark the Union's 175th anniversary.
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October 1990
175th anniversary dinner held at The Savoy Hotel.
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5th December 1990
President Ronald Reagan speaks at the Union.
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Easter 1993
HH The 14th Dalai Lama visits the Union.
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January 2003
Union wins the World Debating Championship in Stellensbosch, South Africa.
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2005-6
First academic year with three successive female Presidents.
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7th February 2015
200th anniversary debate.
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2019
The Orator, the Union's public bar and restaurant opens.
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