Bicentennial Celebration at the Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover

Abstract

In June of 1978, the Veterinary College of Hanover celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founding. King George 111, the last sovereign of the American Colonies, was also the Elector of the Kingdom of Hanover, although he never set foot in either of these domains. He issued the order for the College’s founding in 1778. In June of 1978 we attended the bicentennial celebration of the Veterinary College of Hanover, which included a 2-day symposium on methodology of teaching veterinary pathology, ably organized by our German editor, Professor L. C1. Schulz. At the commencement ceremony Professor Schulz also delivered an address, “Historical Mission and Perspectives of a Veterinary Educational Institution”. As veterans of World War 11, we were impressed by the memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony June 27th at a unique monument on the grounds of the College. The monument memorializes those animals, veterinarians, and veterinary students of all countries who fell in World War 11, and indeed the service was entitled “Totenehrung fur die im letzten Krieg ums Leben gekommenen Tierartte und Veterinarmedizinstudenten aller Nationen” (“Memorial service for veterinarians and veterinary students of all nations who fell in the last war”). The faculty of the Hanover Veterinary College hit upon the happy thought of inviting as sole speaker at this ceremony a former soldier who had fought on the opposite side in World War 11. Their choice fell upon Dr. Peter Storie-Pugh of Cambridge, England, President of the Association of Veterinarians of the European Community and immediate Past President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It could not have been a better choice. He gave the address, which follows, in German. To serve a wider circle of readers, we are providing an English version as well. Fifteen years ago, on page 1 of our first issue, our editorial aim that the journal would imbue veterinary pathologists of all nations with a sense of unity was expressed. This has remained the hope of the editors throughout the intervening years. The moving ceremony which we were privileged to attend in Hanover last June contributes to such international understanding in no small way. Through the courtesy of Colonel Storie-Pugh, who graciously consented to the printing of his address, and Professor Schulz, who kindly provided us with a photograph of the ceremony, we are pleased to be able to share this experience with our colleagues in all countries. May the Tierarztliche Hochschule Hannover, long a leading institution in pathology, as in many other disciplines, continue to flourish in its third century of public service! L. Z. Saunders D. C. Dodd