Thursday, September 1, 2016

Hitler's Capital: Oxford older than the Aztecs

Note:
September, the month where a new year of school begins for many. Since it is that time of the year, I wanted to make a post dedicated to education! I will upload another post really soon after this one. I hope you enjoy!

Oxford University
Image result for oxford university
Oxford University is one of the oldest universities that are still operational to this day. But, it seems as though Oxford University is never really considered ancient in our books. In fact, Oxford University was around since the Aztec Empire. However, when we think about Aztecs, we associate this civilization with ancient in our timeline. Just the thought that the Oxford University today was around the same time Aztecs were busy sacrificing themselves and Spanish Conquistadors were still looking for gold, is a little weird. Let's go way back to the founding of Oxford University.
      There is no clear date for when Oxford University was actually founded, but there was some form of teaching at Oxford during 1096. It  developed quickly from 1167. This was when Henry II banned English Students from attending the University of Paris. In 1188, Gerald of Wales, a historian, gave a public reading to the Oxford dons. In 1190, Emo of Friesland attended Oxford becoming the first known overseas student. This started Oxford's University's tradition of international scholarly links. In 1231, the masters were recognized as a universitas or corporation. Later in the 13th century, rioting between the townspeople of Oxford and the students caused the hasty creation of the very first halls of residence for the students of Oxford University. These halls were quickly replaced by Oxford's first colleges, which originally began as medieval 'halls of residence' or endowed houses supervised by a Master. The oldest colleges are Balliol and Merton Colleges, which were established between 1249 and 1264. Soon Oxford was given praises from popes, kings, and sages because of its antiquity, curriculum, doctrine, and privileges. In 1355, Edward III paid tribute to Oxford for its contribution to learning. Oxford University was Royalist during the Civil War, and Charles I held a counter-Parliament in Convocation House. Later, in the later 17th century, the Oxford philosopher John Locke was suspected of treason and had to escape the country. The University assumed a strong leading role in the Victorian era, and contributed significantly to religious controversy. From 1833 and on The Oxford Movement wanted to revitalize the Catholic aspects of the Anglican Church. A well known leader was John Henry Newman, he became a Roman Catholic in 1845 and was later made a Cardinal. 15 years later, the new University Museum was the scene of very well known debate between Thomas Huxley, the champion of evolution, and Bishop Wilberforce.  From 1878, academic halls were established for women and were admitted full membership of the University in 1920. Five all-male colleges of Oxford University first admitted women in 1974 and after all colleges have admitted women and men. This is a brief history of Oxford University.
        If you ever visit Oxford here are some interesting facts that could make things a little more interesting (not saying that Oxford is boring!).
Image result for Adolf Hitler
1. Adolf Hitler planned to make Oxford his capital if he ever took over England. This is why it was not bombed during World War II.
2. Sir Roger Bannister ran the four minute mile in Oxford in 1954. He was a medical student at Oxford University.
3. Bob Hawke, a former Australian Prime Minister, broke the Guinness World Record for drinking a yard of ale in 11 seconds at Oxford University.
4. The formal word for somebody from Oxford is Oxonian.
5. The Oxford Comma is Oxford's own grammatical use for a comma.
6. Oxford is one degree west of the Prime Meridian, thus 5 minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time. This is shown by the bell Great Tom, which rings 101 times during 9:05 pm every evening.
7. For all of you Harry Potter fans out there, Oxford University is where the Great Hall in Harry Potter was filmed. The place in Oxford University is called the Christ Church College. Christ Church College is also where Lewis Carroll was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland.
Image result for harry potter dining hall
       Besides the history and the interesting facts, Oxford University is one of the leading universities in the world. For all of you people going to Oxford University, it is truly a great honor. A lot of respect goes out to you guys. If you ever get the chance, visit Oxford University sometime. It is really wonderful and a memorable experience. Have a nice day guys!


         

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