The Theta Chi fraternity was founded at Norwich University in Norwich on this day in 1856. Today it’s an international college fraternity of thousands.

Originally, it was two undergraduate military cadets, Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase, meeting in the basement of the Old South Barracks at Norwich. The very next night they initiated two new members, bringing the total to four.

In 1881, Theta Chi nearly vanished, as Norwich enrollment dropped to 15, with only one Theta Chi member. Over 161,000 men have now been initiated, including Vermont Governor Ernest Gibson and renowned film director Steven Spielberg.

The Vermont Book Of Days image.