First-year students at the U.S. Naval Academy are taking part in the annual Herndon Monument Climb, a ritual that marks the end of their plebe year
First-year students at the U.S. Naval Academy are taking part in the annual Herndon Monument Climb on Wednesday, a ritual that marks the end of their plebe year and some say foreshadows career success. Members of the Class of 2027 will work together to scale the 21-foot obelisk covered in vegetable shortening to replace a white plebe “Dixie cup” hat with an upperclassman’s hat, according to the Naval Academy.
The climb began in 1940 and the placement of an officer’s cap atop the obelisk to show they had conquered the plebe year came seven years later, according to a history of the event by James Cheevers, the former senior curator at the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. Upperclassmen first smeared grease on the monument to increase the difficulty of the climb in 1949. They first put the Dixie cup hat atop the monument before the climb in 1962.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden recognizes US Military Academy with trophy for besting other service academies in footballPresident Joe Biden has recognized the United States Military Academy with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for besting other service academies in football. Army beat both the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy during last year’s season.
Read more »
Exclusive look at new technology fighting forever chemicals in water at naval air baseNew technology is being tested on the Willow Grove Joint Base that is leading the way to get forever chemicals out of the water.
Read more »
Removal of remainder of Civil War governor's monument in North Carolina startingThe work to remove what’s left of a downtown Asheville monument that honored a Civil War-era governor is starting. The western North Carolina city says the process to remove the remaining portion of the Vance Monument will begin Tuesday and take about two months to complete. There stood an obelisk that honored Zebulon Vance.
Read more »
Biden's National Monument expansion applauded by allies, but big obstacles loomPresident Biden dramatically expanded two national monuments in California. But there are growing concerns that federal land managers are struggling to manage existing monuments designated since 2016.
Read more »
Biden's National Monument expansion applauded by allies, but big obstacles loomPresident Biden dramatically expanded two national monuments in California. But there are growing concerns that federal land managers are struggling to manage existing monuments designated since 2016.
Read more »
US Ally Intercepts Chinese Naval VesselsJapan disclosed Chinese and Russian ship movements in more than 100 near-real-time reports in the previous fiscal year.
Read more »