It was believed in the year 1909 by a man named Arnold van Gennep that a students rite of passage while wearing a graduation cap and gown should include three things: The first is leaving a society behind, the second is transformation, and the third is returning to that society in a new status. So how did those three things merge into the graduation cap and gown ceremonies that we celebrate with today?

Graduation ceremonies usually begin with speeches and inspirational talks from faculty and speakers, and students would file into the room while listening to such themes as Pomp and Circumstance. This song is one of the most recognized in the country and was composed by a man named Sir Edward Elgar. It was first performed in Liverpool, England in 1901. As students have their names called, they file in line to receive their diplomas, and once everyone has theirs they then traditionally turn the tassel to signify that they are no longer students, but alumni instead.

Another popular ceremony to go along with that of the graduation caps and gowns is the Baccalaureate Ceremony, the first of which took place at Oxford University. Each student was required to deliver a speech in Latin as part of his academic requirements (this was in the 1400s) as part of the ceremony. While some schools celebrate these two occasions together, many schools separate them and celebrate them at different times.

Aside from the actual ceremonies, many people wonder where the graduation caps and gowns came from. The origins of the headwear of today actually are hoods that are believed to date back to Celtic groups. Druid priests wore capes with hoods, and this symbolized their superiority and higher intellect. Today, the cap follows a similar suit in that it is used to represent a students academic degree. The tassel that is worn is used to represent the students academic achievement within their academic institution.

The graduation caps are one story, but the gowns are another. Before the 1950s the robes were gray in the United States, but in many other countries they were different colors and were used to signify the different areas of study. Today there are stoles of all different colors that are often used, along with cords, the tassels, sashes, and other accessory items. Although high schools use many different colors today for graduation caps and gowns, universities and colleges usually use traditional black.

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