It should come as no surprise that the Greeks, who pioneered the concept of public education, have one of the oldest continuously open universities in the region — and that “continuously open” means just that. It survived the Ottoman Empire, two world wars, and a Nazi occupation; it was one of the first acts of the newly-organized state’s parliament, meant to not only advance education of its own citizens, but serve as a model for the entire Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean region.

On this day, May 3, in 1837 the Othonian University, named after the first king of Greece opened. It would later be renamed National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and more commonly known as Athens University.

Its first class consisted of 52 student, taught by 33 professors across 4 academic fields of study.  Today, it holds around 50,000 undergraduates, and despite its status as the preeminent institution of higher learning in Greece, continues its anti-elitist, egalitarian roots. Although entrance exams are now required of all prospective students, the university tries to let in the broadest possible demographic every year.