40 Years Ago
Oct. 12, 1965
War good for generating ideas
With the Vietnam War raging overseas, U of T hosted an International Teach-In on the theme of “Revolution and Ideological Conflict,” attended by thousands and broadcast over radio to over a million people in Canadian and the U.S. Politicians and academics from North America, Britain, Soviet Russia, Kenya, South Vietnam and elsewhere debated America’s interventionist role in Vietnam, apartheid in South Africa, the state of the Canadian university, and more. One professor noted: “It is ironic that the most progressive and imaginative intellectual activity of the year is taking place at the most staid and conservative university in Canada.”
30 Years Ago
Oct. 10, 1975
Keep fit and have fun!
It might have been the middle of the “Me Decade,” but the kind folks at the U of T Athletic Association were determined to help others reach their sporty potential. The UTAA administered free fitness tests at Hart House to help reform overweight, out of shape students and staff. After a series of body weight, strength, and cardiovascular exercises, 75 per cent of all males and 50 per cent of all females who took the test were deemed fit. Considering the average sedentary lifestyle of the modern student, that astounding success rate would be decidedly smaller today.
