Lonnie Bunch, secretary of Smithsonian Institution, reflected on the power and purpose of history as the keynote speaker for William & Mary’s 2024 Charter Day, held Feb. 9 in Kaplan Arena. The annual tradition celebrates the university’s founding 331 years ago and offers an opportunity for the community to reflect on William & Mary’s past while keeping an eye toward its future, guided by its strategic plan and core values.“What history does more than anything else is it challenges us to live up to [Abraham] Lincoln’s desire for a more perfect union,” said Bunch. “Embracing the complicated past helps us realize that there is nothing more powerful than a people, than a nation steeped in its history. And there’s nothing more noble than honoring all of our ancestors by remembering.”Read more about the ceremony: https://news.wm.edu/2024/02/12/power-of-history-arts-celebrated-at-wms-charter-day/Watch his honorary degree video, celebrating his life and career: https://youtu.be/CCcXSAr1DEc... ... ... William & Mary is a premier public research university, widely recognized for our outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. We produce experienced, engaged and successful graduates who lead lives of impact.Learn more at https://www.wm.edu Take a virtual campus tour, here: https://www.wm.edu/admission/virtualtour#WilliamandMary