Diadeloso 2024: Day of the Bear, Day of the Eclipse
A total solar eclipse AND an annual campus-wide celebration? Diadeloso (the “Day of the Bear”) has been a Baylor tradition for almost a century now — but never like this.
While students enjoyed many of the usual favorites (live music, free food, competitions, inflatables and more) on Monday, they also got a once-in-a-lifetime treat — viewing a total solar eclipse from the heart of campus. Meanwhile, thousands of visitors took in the eclipse from outside McLane Stadium at Eclipse Over Texas 2024.
[PHOTOS/VIDEOS: See photos from the day || Watch Discovery’s time-lapse of the eclipse from Waco]
The combination of events made this Dia unique, and a special memory for this current group of Baylor students. The morning brought the usual Dia games to campus, while the afternoon (before and after the eclipse) was filled with other activities on campus. Everything stopped when totality hit for more than four minutes mid-afternoon, and audible gasps (and later, applause) could be heard from the group gathered on Fountain Mall.
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Across the river, an international crowd estimated at 14,000 gathered for Eclipse Over Texas. Telescopes, presentations from NASA and Baylor experts, hands-on activities and more added to the day for visitors. The event was co-hosted by Baylor, NASA, the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., and the City of Waco.
Thanks to Baylor Chamber and all those who helped make both #BaylorDia 2024 and Eclipse Over Texas a success!
Sic ’em, Diadeloso!