Chanting the traditional refrain in 2015. Quizzes & Puzzles How Much Do You Know About Dragon Day on the Hill? For the beloved springtime celebration’s 125th birthday, we offer 10 questions on its history, traditions, and more! 1) What seasonal event or holiday was Dragon Day originally built around? Easter St. Patrick’s Day Vernal equinox Earth Day None 2) The namesake of what campus building founded the event that became Dragon Day? A.D. White House Sage Hall McGraw Tower Willard Straight Hall None 3) What group of students traditionally builds a phoenix to do ceremonial battle with the dragon? Engineers Hotelies Classics majors Veterinarians None 4) In 1933, to celebrate the end of Prohibition, the dragon was replaced by a giant … Martini glass Champagne bottle Beer stein Cocktail shaker None 5) Which class of architecture students builds the dragon? Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior None 6) In what decade did new state environmental laws end the custom of burning the dragon? 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s None 7) What is chanted as the dragon is paraded through campus? “For England, and Saint George!” “Burn, baby, burn!” “Dragon, dragon, dragon! Oi, oi, oi!” “All hail Smaug!” None 8) In the 1960s, several dozen architects got into legal trouble after they released what in the Ivy Room as a Dragon Day prank? Six parakeets stolen from a pet store A professor’s Great Dane in a dragon costume A pig they’d painted green Green smoke bombs that set off the sprinkler system None 9) What event, held in advance of Dragon Day, involves running around campus wearing body paint? Green Streak D-Day 5K Race for the Scales Shamrock Shuffle None 10) In recent years, physics students have joined in the fun by building what fantastical creatures? Hippogriffs Unicorns Centaurs Basilisks None Time’s up (Top: Photo by Cornell University.) Published March 5, 2026 Please note that to make the quiz fun for everyone, we’re unable to approve comments that reveal the answers! Comments Bruce Roebal, Class of 1989 15 Mar, 2026 Architecture does not have Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. They have First-year, Second-year, Third-year, Fourth-year, and Fifth-year students. Reply Alan Chimacoff, Class of 1963 15 Mar, 2026 You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! The architecture class of 1964 pulled off The Great Cricket Caper…, an illustrated saga soon to be completed and placed in the public domain. Hugh Troy will be eating his heart out…, GREEN with envy. Reply peter hoyt, Class of 1976 15 Mar, 2026 I have always associated Dragon Day with that horrible accident 25 years ago when a student was run over and killed by a drunken bus driver. To me it has since been a morbid event. But while a tragedy is not necessarily sufficient reason to cancel an otherwise well liked event, such tragedy should be remembered and acknowledged. Reply Clifford Proctor, Class of 1975 16 Mar, 2026 You are correct. Sending prayers for The Flame of Love. Reply Dale Coats, Class of 1969 15 Mar, 2026 Loved it. Good quiz….but, after 60 years thee ole’ memory fades ! Reply Sue Pozefsky Tepperberg, Class of 1963 15 Mar, 2026 In ‘63 a live chicken was dyed green and replaced a rare book on display in its glass enclosure in the new Olin library…as I remember. Reply Melvin Grossgold, Class of 1953 18 Mar, 2026 In the early 1950’s Morse Hall was the lair out of which used to surge the old dragon. That beloved partially burned-out building, where Prof. John Hartell taught Freshman Design was demolished long, long ago to make way for the new eponymous museum of art. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Alumni Fantasy Sports Media Business Helps Fans Create Dream Teams Alumni Barbara Page, MFA ’75, Celebrates Her Love of Reading with Miniature Works of Art Ask the Expert Just Starting Out in Your Career? Dyson Prof Has Advice!