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| University marks its 800th year | University marks its 800th year |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of people are expected to take part in global celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University. | Thousands of people are expected to take part in global celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University. |
| A specially-commissioned light show charting the university's history will start the celebrations later. | A specially-commissioned light show charting the university's history will start the celebrations later. |
| Church bell-ringers around the world will also simultaneously play a new piece composed for the occasion. | Church bell-ringers around the world will also simultaneously play a new piece composed for the occasion. |
| Notable former Cambridge students include Oliver Cromwell, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking. | Notable former Cambridge students include Oliver Cromwell, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking. |
| History | History |
| The university, which has produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other institution, has organised a number of events throughout the year to mark the anniversary. | The university, which has produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other institution, has organised a number of events throughout the year to mark the anniversary. |
| It was founded in 1209 after scholars from Oxford gathered to study at the ancient Roman trading post of Cambridge. | It was founded in 1209 after scholars from Oxford gathered to study at the ancient Roman trading post of Cambridge. |
| Cambridge now plays host to 18,000 students and has an annual turnover of almost £1bn. | Cambridge now plays host to 18,000 students and has an annual turnover of almost £1bn. |
| It was home to some of the most significant scientific breakthroughs in history - including the splitting of the atom and the discovery of DNA. | It was home to some of the most significant scientific breakthroughs in history - including the splitting of the atom and the discovery of DNA. |
| The light show which will be projected on to the Senate House and Old Schools has been produced by artist Ross Ashton and contains images of iconic moments and illustrations by Downing College alumnus and former Children's Laureate Quentin Blake.Darwin's theory on evolution influenced many science disciplines | |
| Mr Blake, whose new animated drawings of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin will be on show, said he was looking forward to the celebrations. | Mr Blake, whose new animated drawings of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin will be on show, said he was looking forward to the celebrations. |
| He said: "We need to remind everybody of the history of this extraordinary place. It is wonderful and I am terribly privileged to be asked just to make a contribution to it." | He said: "We need to remind everybody of the history of this extraordinary place. It is wonderful and I am terribly privileged to be asked just to make a contribution to it." |
| Four churches in central Cambridge - Great St Mary's, St Bene't's, St Edward King and Martyr and St Andrew the Great, will take part in the mass bell-ringing and perform a piece by Clare College alumnus Phil Earis. | Four churches in central Cambridge - Great St Mary's, St Bene't's, St Edward King and Martyr and St Andrew the Great, will take part in the mass bell-ringing and perform a piece by Clare College alumnus Phil Earis. |
| They will be joined by bell-ringers in churches across the world. | They will be joined by bell-ringers in churches across the world. |
| Other events include a Charles Darwin festival and a science festival. | Other events include a Charles Darwin festival and a science festival. |
| A Festival of Ideas is planned for October, while a closing ceremony will be held the following month. | A Festival of Ideas is planned for October, while a closing ceremony will be held the following month. |
| A special fund has been created by the university to support other events proposed by individual departments, colleges and student groups. | A special fund has been created by the university to support other events proposed by individual departments, colleges and student groups. |
| The celebrations will begin at 1915 GMT in Senate House Yard, Cambridge. | The celebrations will begin at 1915 GMT in Senate House Yard, Cambridge. |