Urbana Illinois University Of Illinois Illinois Field Military Day Real Photo Postcard

Military Day at U of I most likely refers to an annual exhibition held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a prominent land-grant institution. Established under the Morrill Act of 1862, these universities were federally mandated to provide military instruction, leading to the development of robust cadet corps and, later, the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). This postcard captures a significant public event, featuring uniformed officers, civilian dignitaries, and a large assembly of cadets and spectators, characteristic of the early 20th century.