Cambridge Union Society

The Cambridge Union Society, commonly referred to simply as the Cambridge Union, is the largest student society at the University of Cambridge and one of the oldest in the world. Additionally, the Cambridge Union served as a model for the subsequent foundation of similar societies at several other prominent universities including the Oxford Union and the Yale Political Union.

Interesting Facts and Trivia on The Cambridge Union Society

• Nazis Bomb the Union: Although Cambridge escaped virtually undamaged from the massive destruction of World War II in Europe, the Union's building was hit by a bomb dropped during one aerial attack. The explosion caused extensive damage to the society's library and even today some books in the library show clearly visible shrapnel wounds! Although many rumors exist, it will probably never be known if the attack on the Union was intentional or just a random strike by the Nazi bomber.
• Fictional Presidents: In addition to the long list of real life distinguished individuals that have been former Presidents and Officers of the Cambridge Union, Will Bailey, a fictional character on The West Wing, a US television drama series, claimed to have been a "former president of Cambridge Union on a Marshall Scholarship." In the real world, the Treasurer for Lent 2006 is a Marshall Scholar.
• National Union of Students: Despite the Cambridge Union Society never having been a students' union in the modern sense, it did briefly affiliate to the UK's National Union of Students in 1924.