This month in Harvard history

Feb. 3 and 5, 1978 – The Hillel societies of Harvard and MIT sponsor a two-day symposium honoring the birth centennial of German philosopher Martin Buber. Assisting with the symposium is the Center for the Study of World Religions.

Feb. 4, 1978 – At Soldiers Field, Harvard’s Olympic-size (50-meter, 10-lane) Blodgett Pool is formally named and dedicated. The $4.2 million pool holds 750,000 gallons of water; the facility seats 1,200. The pool is named for principal donor John W. Blodgett Jr. ’23, owner of a timber-and-lumber business based in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Feb. 23-24, 1978 – Artist Robert Motherwell spends two days at Harvard as guest of the Learning From Performers program of the Office for the Arts.

Feb. 10, 1979 – Laura Ruiz ’80 – a 21-year-old former migrant farm worker who spent seven years picking cabbage 11 hours a day, from May to November – is featured on “30 Minutes,” a CBS-produced show for teenagers airing on Boston’s Channel 7.

From the Harvard Historical Calendar, a database compiled by Marvin Hightower