USC — officially founded Oct. 6, 1880, when Los Angeles was little more than a frontier town — first opened its doors to 53 students and 10 teachers.
Back then, the ¡°city¡± still lacked paved streets, electric lights, telephones and a reliable fire alarm system.
Today, USC is home to more than 47,000 students and some 4,000 full-time faculty, and is located in the heart of one of the biggest metropolises in the world. The school¡¯s first building lives on as Widney Alumni House.
Learn more about the history of what is now one of America¡¯s leading research universities.
VIDEO | USC history — Honoring the past:
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