This school year, The Forum reaches its 60th year of publication, and we’re marking the occasion in style. As any good newspaper would, we want to celebrate with what we do best: journalism. So, every month, we’re re-winding the clock and giving you the highlights of six decades of our coverage. We ask only that you sit back, relax, and enjoy a good long look at Latin through the years.
In December 1967, 58 years ago, ground broke on the current Upper School building: “Hoards of people swarmed down State and Astor Streets to the corner of North Avenue and Clark, more than eager to see the spectacle.”
In December 1976, 49 years ago, Latin’s jazz band played its first notes: “from the Latin School, there has emerged something completely new and different. It is called FSP … a band made up of Latin students. They play all types of music, from Rock to Ragtime, but their specialty is Jazz.“
In December 1981, 44 years ago, the most controversial technology on campus was infamous, and it wasn’t Meta AI smart glasses: “The administration's ruling that students while in school cannot listen to Sony Walkmans, cassette players with headphones, is a subject of recent controversy at Latin.”
In December 1982, 43 years ago, photocopiers were a technological marvel: “The new wave of microchip technology has rendered the old IBM on the second floor obsolete.”
In December 1984, 41 years ago, Latin fielded a competitive bowling team: “A new sport has come to Latin and is sure to generate a lot of excitement. Latin Bowling has arrived.”
In December 1985, 40 years ago, asbestos removal cost a pretty penny: “Last spring, inspectors discovered asbestos at Latin in the ceiling of a small mechanical storage room on the fifth floor. The asbestos was removed this summer, before it began to deteriorate.”
In December 1988, 37 years ago, students made a documentary to accompany the yearbook: “From all I've seen and done, I know that this year's Videovation will be more than fabulous, and certainly worth more than the money it costs. In one year, five years, ten years, whatever, what better way can you pull yourself back to these ‘best years of your life’ here at Latin?”
In December 1993, 32 years ago, the Wrigley Theatre repertoire may have looked familiar for fans of current student-run plays: “Advanced Acting Set for Oedipus and Antigone, London Tour.”
In December 1994, 31 years ago, fantasy sports were already all the rage: “Rotisserie league sports cause you to live life like you never have before. Only the fantasy football league player knows the excitement of sitting around in his underwear all day, watching television.”
In December 1995, 30 years ago, a familiar face had a byline in The Forum: “Editor-in-Chief … Nick Baer”
In December 1995, 30 years ago, Latin held a then-annual poetry slam. “In years past, Latin has invited experienced poets to perform. … This year, for a change of pace, Latin students and faculty members participated.”
In December 1995, 30 years ago, fans of The Forum’s crossword would have had fun with this decades-old version.
