This weekend was the Fourth of June. It is a peculiarly Eton celebration, originally founded to commemorate George III and never, in fact, held on that exact date. Normally, the day would see Agars playing fields overrun by marquees and picnics as thousands of boys, parents and alumni come together for Eton’s summer celebration, but this year is different.
For the first time, Eton hosted a virtual Fourth of June. There was no cricket match on Dutchman’s playing field, School Library’s annual exhibitions were inaccessible and the Procession of Boats was postponed. It was, however, still the Fourth of June and the ease and speed of modern technology meant many of the expected events still took place online.
The river on the Fourth of June 
Participants 
A programme 
Absence being taken at School Yard 
Spectators 
Boating and cricketing activities, 1929 
List of Boats 
Absence being taken
This year includes the traditional chapel service with an address from the Head Master, two fully virtual music concerts and ‘Speeches’ from Eton’s academic prefects. Moreover, this Fourth of June has seen a surge in publications: The Agathon (philosophy) is back, and Syracuse (classics), Junior Chronicle (edited and written by Years 9-11) and the Eton Journal for Innovation and Research in Education are all featured. The Axiom (mathematics), Scientific Etonian (science), Lexicon (MFL) as well as the major school publication, The Chronicle, can also be found online. Every area of academia is explored through these reviews, from Seneca’s Thyestes to Camus’s The Plague.
On top of this, one can find the Coleridge Cup, an annual Shakespearean declamation prize, thoughts from the cast of the Lower and Senior boys plays, an art exhibition, and a montage of all the sport which has been taking place this term on Firefly.
We hope you enjoyed the day!
