William & Mary will mark its 333rd birthday with a special Charter Day celebration featuring Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger and renowned filmmaker Ken Burns. The ceremony is scheduled for 15:30 on February 6, 2024, at Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg. This annual event will launch the university’s Year of Civic Leadership, emphasizing its commitment to cultivating civic leaders and recognizing its foundational role in American democracy.
Celebrating Leadership and History
The Charter Day ceremony is free and open to the public, with an option to stream the event online. Both Spanberger and Burns will deliver speeches during the ceremony and will be awarded honorary degrees. Additionally, Robert M. Gates, the former U.S. Secretary of Defense, will be reinvested for his third term as chancellor. Gates holds the record as the longest-serving chancellor in the university’s history.
Charter Day commemorates the founding of William & Mary, which was established through a British royal charter on February 8, 1693. Originally known as Founder’s Day, the celebration was initiated on February 8, 1937, by John Stewart Bryan, the university’s 19th president. Katherine A. Rowe, president of William & Mary, stated, “It is fitting we recognize a trio of leaders who have dedicated themselves to this work at Charter Day.”
Honoring Accomplished Alumni
Spanberger, who previously attended William & Mary before transferring to the University of Virginia, has had a distinguished career in law enforcement and public service. She made history in November 2023 by being elected as Virginia’s first female governor and is set to be inaugurated on Saturday.
Ken Burns, known for his impactful documentaries, has dedicated over 50 years to filmmaking. A graduate of Hampshire College, Burns co-founded Florentine Films and has received numerous accolades, including 17 Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Oscar nominations. His latest documentary, “The American Revolution,” premiered at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg in Spring 2023.
The Charter Day celebration will not only honor these influential figures but also reinforce William & Mary’s commitment to shaping future leaders and its pivotal role in American history. For more information about the event, please visit wm.edu/sites/charterday.
