Among the list of significant events in the year 1876 were the first telephone call, Colorado becoming the 38th state and the inaugural National League baseball game--in which, for those keeping score at home, the Boston Braves squeaked by the Philadelphia Athletics 6-5.

That same year witnessed another pivotal event, the founding of The Johns Hopkins University, the first modern research university in the United States. Today, as we near the 125th anniversary of the institution, the university is avidly gearing up to celebrate this historic milestone. A yearlong recognition of the university's first 125 years will begin in the fall and extend through the academic year 2001. Included in the observance will be a series of special events all leading up to the official Commemoration Day celebration in February 2001.

Events currently under consideration are lectures, seminars, service efforts, exhibitions and fun activities for the university community and our neighbors.

"This is a chance to celebrate what Johns Hopkins and Daniel Gilman created 125 years ago, what we've made of their creation over the years and where it's headed in the future," said Dennis O'Shea, chair of the event's publications and media subcommittee. "And we want to spread the celebration over the course of the next academic year, so we can observe the anniversary in serious ways and take time out for some fun as well."

To coordinate the various aspects of the celebration, a 125th Anniversary Committee made up of students, staff, faculty, administration and alumni representatives has been appointed by university president William R. Brody.

Ross Jones, vice president and secretary emeritus, has been named chair of the committee, and Paula Burger, vice provost for academic affairs and international programs, is its vice chair.

Jones said that in addition to special events created specifically for the anniversary celebration, many of the annual Hopkins events and happenings also will spotlight the red-letter occasion.

Visually speaking, a 125th anniversary logo and slogan will soon be unveiled, and a book that celebrates the history of the university both in words and pictures will be published in the fall of 2000. Jones describes the book as "a major undertaking" that will be a fitting tribute to the various distinguished people and accomplishments associated with the school's history.

"All the events, the logo and the book will be a kind of reminder throughout the year that Hopkins has been a leader in higher education for the past 125 years," Jones said.

The 125th Anniversary subcommittees are staff activities, co-chaired by Marguerite Sonneborn, executive assistant to the senior vice president for administration, and Christine White, assistant dean for medicine at the School of Medicine; faculty and new initiatives, chaired by Paula Burger; student activities, chaired by Larry Benedict, dean of Homewood Student Affairs; publications and media, chaired by Dennis O'Shea, executive director of Communications and Public Affairs; development, chaired by Jan Corazza, executive director of Campaign and Development Operations; and special events, chaired by Deborah Pankey Stewart, director of the Office of Special Events.

Specific details on all anniversary events and tie-ins will be announced as they become available.