The Day Tomorrow Began

The Day Tomorrow Began

Where do breakthrough discoveries and ideas come from ...

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The Day Tomorrow Began series explores groundbreaking discoveries at the University of Chicago across nearly every realm of human inquiry. Video by UChicago Creative

We’ve all heard stories about the ‘eureka’ moments behind big, world-changing ideas.

In a series called The Day Tomorrow Began, learn about the monumental breakthroughs at the University of Chicago and the people behind them. Through videos, podcasts and written content, discover how these groundbreaking ideas have shaped and defined fields—and how UChicago scholars continue to change our world.

Learn more about The Day Tomorrow Began here, and explore the topics in the series below.

Free Expression

Free Expression

Freedom of expression has been a core element of the history and culture of the University of Chicago since its founding in 1890. Today, UChicago is a global advocate for free expression, working to defend and uphold this important academic principle.

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Chicago Pile-1 — First nuclear reaction

As World War II raged, scientists achieved the first nuclear reaction—a breakthrough that sparked the Atomic Age and redefined the geopolitical landscape.

Willard F. Libby — Carbon Dating

In the 1940s, UChicago chemist Willard Libby invented a way to determine the age of materials as old as 60,000 years—a breakthrough that reshaped our view of human history.

Rowley — Cancer Research

In the 1970s, a discovery by scientist Janet Rowley would change the way we understand cancer and transform how we treat disease today.

Two women, Sophonisba Breckinridge (right) and Edith Abbott (left) dressed in black and wearing black hats sit next to each other at a desk while examining a document. — Social Work

In 1920, two women founded one of the country’s first graduate schools of social work at UChicago, which today continues to improve the lives of those most marginalized.

The Day Tomorrow Began: Economics — Economics

UChicago scholars’ groundbreaking research have redefined economics—from shaping monetary policy to founding fields of study—Nobel Prize-winning work that continues today.

A child sleeping with a dream bubble graphic floating out of their head — Sleep research

UChicago has been a pioneer in the field of sleep research—from establishing the world’s first sleep lab to discovering REM sleep—for more than a century.

Researcher facing away from camera in a suit and goggles holds up a reflective circle, a piece of scientific equipment engineered at the University of Chicago — Quantum technology

In the early 20th century, UChicago scientists advanced our understanding of quantum mechanics—the laws that govern the smallest particles—which today are being harnessed for groundbreaking technologies.

The Day Tomorrow Began — Ancient civilizations

A century ago, UChicago scholars argued that Western civilization began in the ancient Middle East—not in Greece or Rome—an idea that changed how we view civilization.

Artist rendering of a black hole — Black holes

At age 19, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar proposed a revolutionary theory, which paved the way to the discovery of black holes and eventually won him a Nobel Prize.

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Wide-angle photo of gigantic detector equipment at CERN — Field-defining research

Learn about how UChicago scholars are shaping fields and tackling the world's biggest problems.

Nuclear Energy sculpture by Henry Moore — UChicago breakthroughs

Trace impactful research and discoveries through a timeline that shows UChicago’s scholarly impact in the world.

Prof. Ted Fujita in his lab next to a machine that simulates a small-scale tornado — UChicago Explainer Series

Explore ideas pioneered at the University—and how its scholars are shaping our world.

Wendy Freedman recording an episode of Big Brains — Big Brains podcast

Listen to the stories behind pioneering research and pivotal breakthroughs by scholars at UChicago and beyond.

Campus rooftops — UChicago News

Explore the latest stories about University research, its dynamic intellectual community and more.