What is the Century Tree?!

The Century Tree is one of my personal favorite landmarks and traditions here at Texas A&M University. The official university website even has a specific section where this tradition is described: "Well over 100 years old, the tree was one of the first trees planted on Texas A&M's massive 5,200-acre campus. The beautiful live oak has been the site of countless Aggie marriage proposals, weddings, and tourist snapshots because of its immense size and its unique drooping branches, many of which rest on the ground. Tradition says that if a couple walks together underneath the Century Tree, they will eventually marry — and if a marriage proposal takes place under the tree, the marriage will last forever." Nothing says "forever" like walking under the endless branches of the century tree together. Be careful while biking, you won't want to accidentally bike yourself into being forever alone - just kidding! (Or am I?) This beautiful tree is right next to the Academic Building and Bolton Hall in the Academic Plaza. There are a lot of beautiful traditions that take place in this area, even our Silver Taps. As also described on the Texas A&M University website: "Silver Taps is held the first Tuesday of the month following a student’s death. Starting in the morning, the flags on campus are flown at half-mast. The names, class and major of the fallen Aggies are on cards placed at the base of the flagpole in the Academic Plaza and on the Silver Taps Memorial. Throughout the day, students can write letters to the families of the fallen Aggies. That night at 10:15p.m., all the lights on campus are extinguished. Hymns are then played on the Albritton Bell Tower, always including How Great Thou Art and ending in Amazing Grace. Around this time, students gather silently in the Academic Plaza. The families of the fallen Aggies are also led into the plaza. At 10:30p.m., the Ross Volunteer Company marches into the Academic Plaza at a slow cadence. Once they arrive, they fire a three-volley salute in honor of the fallen Aggies. After the last round is fired, buglers atop the Academic Building begin to play a special rendition of “Taps” called “Silver Taps,” which is unique to A&M. The buglers play “Taps” three times: once to the north, once to the south, and once to the west, but never to the east, because it said the sun will never rise on that fallen Aggie again." As you can see, we're a tradition rich school! Everyday as an Aggie you learn something new a unique - I'm still learning!