In 1838, Methodist and Quaker Families in rural Randolph County hired Brantley York as a teacher for their subscription school, leading to the transformation of Brown's Schoolhouse into Union Institute, which later evolved into Duke University.

Methodist and Quaker families in Randolph County chartered Brown’s Schoolhouse to become the Union Institute Academy, which later evolved into Trinity College. By 1892, Trinity College moved to Durham with support from wealthy tobacco industrialists and Methodists.

In 1851, the Normal College was chartered by the state of North Carolina. It was originally established as a teaching college.

By 1853, the first degrees were awarded at Normal College, allowing graduates to teach in public schools in North Carolina.

Trinity College of Arts & Sciences was established in 1859 as one of the founding schools of Duke University. This institution has played a crucial role in providing a comprehensive education in arts and sciences.

A significant moment in the history of Duke University, marking a turning point in its evolution and growth.

In 1900, Trinity College became the first white institution of higher education in the South to invite Booker T. Washington to speak. This event was significant in promoting diversity and inclusivity.

Originally established in 1904, the Law School at Duke University underwent reorganization in 1930.

In 1910, William Preston Few became the new president of Trinity College and aimed to establish Duke University as a southern counterpart to prestigious universities like Yale and Harvard. This marked a significant step in Duke's mission to become a global university.

In 1922, Duke University's mascot, the Blue Devil, was unofficially adopted after a campaign by the student newspaper to choose a new team name that reflected the school colors of dark blue and white. The name eventually gained popularity and became the official mascot.

James B. Duke established The Duke Endowment, a $40 million trust fund, to be distributed among hospitals, orphanages, the Methodist Church, three colleges, and a university built around Trinity College. President William Preston Few insisted on naming the university Duke University as a memorial to James B. Duke's father and family.

On December 21, 1924, Trinity College was renamed to Duke University. This change marked a significant moment in the history of the institution, signifying a new chapter and identity.

In 1925, Duke University purchased a local quarry in Hillsborough to source the distinctive Duke stone for construction. The decision was made to reduce costs and achieve a specific aesthetic for the Collegiate Gothic buildings on campus.

Benjamin Newton Duke, a primary benefactor of Trinity College and a key link to the Duke family, passed away in 1929. His contributions played a significant role in the development of the institution that later became Duke University.

The Duke University Medical School and Hospital were founded in 1930, enhancing the academic and healthcare offerings of the university.

Duke Forest, established in 1931, spans over 7,000 acres in the north-central Piedmont region. It functions as a natural outdoor laboratory for Duke University and nearby institutions, offering trails for local walkers and runners. The forest is utilized for various purposes such as education, research, wildlife protection, and timber management practices.

Duke Chapel, a significant symbol of the university, was built in 1932 on the Gothic West Campus. The chapel features a 210-foot tower with a 50-bell carillon and serves as a memorial for Washington Duke and his sons Benjamin and James.

Construction of Duke Chapel at Duke University was completed.

Duke University officially opened in 1938 as a memorial to the Duke family, with significant funding from The Duke Endowment.

Engineering, which had been taught since 1903, became a separate school at Duke University.

On October 21, 1942, Duke University and Durham made history by hosting the only Rose Bowl game ever played away from Pasadena, showcasing the university's prominence in collegiate sports.

In 1948, a group of divinity school students at Duke University petitioned for the desegregation of the institution's admission policy. This marked the first concerted effort to push for desegregation at Duke.

In 1957, the term 'Duke University Medical Center' was first used to refer to the combined facilities for medical and nursing instruction, treatment, and research.

In 1961, Duke University amended its admissions policy to affirm equality of opportunity regardless of race, creed, or national origin, with a two-step process involving graduate and professional schools first and the undergraduate colleges in 1962.

Duke University desegregated when five black students enrolled at the university, leading to increased diversity.

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Duke University on the progress of the civil rights movement, addressing an overflow audience in Page Auditorium.

The Duke Lemur Center was established in 1966 as the only university-based facility in the world dedicated to the study of prosimian primates. It houses over 200 lemurs, bush babies, and lorises.

The Silent Vigil at Duke University was a peaceful protest demanding collective bargaining rights for the campus' unofficial workers' union and advocating against racial discrimination.

In 1969, Black students at Duke University overtook the Allen Building in a protest, demanding to be treated with respect and equality. The protest led to significant changes at the university and was considered a pivotal moment in its history.

The Institute of Policy Sciences and Public Affairs was founded in 1971.

In 1972, the Coordinate Woman's College, which was initially a separate entity, was merged back into Trinity College at Duke University, creating a coeducational liberal arts institution.

The first historically African-American Greek letter organization at Duke University, the Omega Psi Phi, Omega Zeta chapter, was established on April 12, 1974.

In 1980, Mike Krzyzewski became the head coach of Duke University's men's basketball team, a position he has held since then. He is known for his successful coaching career and leading the team to numerous victories.

The Bryan University Center, a student union of sorts, was fully constructed in 1982.

The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture opened in 1983.

Duke's men's basketball team is one of the most successful programs, winning five national championships since the NCAA Tournament field was expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Duke's Men's soccer team achieved a significant milestone by winning the university's first NCAA championship in 1986.

Duke University's men's basketball team won the national championship in 1991.

Duke University's men's basketball team won the national championship in 1992.

In 1993, Duke's three-member team finished in first place in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, earning the title of the best collegiate undergraduate math team in the United States and Canada.

The 314,000-square-foot Levine Science Research Center (LSRC) opened in 1994 to house interdisciplinary research at Duke University.

In 1995, Duke University designated East Campus as the residence for all first-year students. This decision aimed to create a cohesive and supportive environment for incoming students at the university.

In 1996, Robert Coleman (Ph.D. '65) won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Duke President Nan Keohane initiated a five-year $1.5 billion Campaign for Duke fundraising effort in 1998.

One of the main objectives of the Concilio Latino/Hispano/Americano and its academic subcommittee was to launch a program in Latino Studies at Duke University during the winter of 1999-2000.

In January 2000, Dean Robert Thompson's office offers funds to develop a cluster of three courses in Latino Studies, leading to the idea of a certificate program in Latino Studies.

From February 2001 to November 2005, Duke University invested $835 million in 34 major construction projects as part of a five-year strategic plan called 'Building on Excellence'. These projects included additions to various schools, a new library, an art museum, and multiple research buildings.

In Spring 2002, Duke University hosted 'The Color of Hegemony: Latinos/as in North Carolina and the U.S.' conference, attracting over 120 attendees from the university and local community.

The Social Science Research Institute was established at Duke University in 2003.

In Spring 2005, Latino/a Studies and El Concilio Latino published a full-page notice in The Chronicle, expressing gratitude to President Brodhead for his support and urging the appointment of a presidential task force to enhance the focus on Latino/a issues and studies at Duke. Over 160 individuals and organizations endorsed this initiative.

In April 2005, Duke University and the National University of Singapore signed an agreement to establish Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. The school, which had its first class in 2007, offers a curriculum based on Duke University School of Medicine and aims to complement the existing medical school in Singapore.

In March 2006, Duke University bought 15 houses in the Trinity Park area that were typically rented by Duke students, selling them to individual families to encourage property renovations and reduce off-campus partying in residential neighborhoods.

In May 2006, Duke researchers mapped the final human chromosome, marking the completion of the Human Genome Project.

In June 2006, reports surfaced about Duke researchers' involvement in new AIDS vaccine research.

Duke University's women's golf team won the national championship in 2007.

Duke University's women's tennis team won the national championship in 2009.

The comprehensive campaign initiated in 2010 benefitted all 10 of Duke’s graduate and undergraduate schools, Duke Athletics, Duke Libraries, Duke Health, and various university-wide initiatives. It aimed to transform the physical campus and fund priorities such as financial aid, faculty development, research, patient care, and hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Times Higher Education ranked Duke's mathematics department tenth in the world in 2011.

In 2012, Professor Robert Lefkowitz from Duke University received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his influential contributions to the field.

In 2013, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) was established in Kunshan, China, as a partnership between Duke University, Wuhan University, and the city of Kunshan. DKU offers Duke degree graduate programs and an undergraduate liberal arts college, conducting research projects on various topics.

After about $60 million in renovations, the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Duke University reopened in August 2015. The updates included more space, technology upgrades, and new exhibits.

In 2015, Professor Paul Modrich from Duke University was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his significant achievements in the field.

Nine Duke varsity athletics programs achieved a perfect 1,000 score in the NCAA's multi-year Academic Progress Report released in April 2016.

On June 30, 2017, Duke Forward, the largest fundraising campaign in Duke University's history, successfully concluded, surpassing its original goal by raising $3.85 billion over seven years with the support of over 315,000 donors and foundations.

Duke University's women's golf team won the national championship in 2019.

Duke University has evolved since its founding, with a focus on addressing issues of racism, sexism, and inclusion. The student body now includes more than 50% students of color and international students. Duke collaborates with the city of Durham on various initiatives.

In November 2021, Duke's chapter of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) was denied recognition by the Duke Student Government (DSG). The incident led to national media attention and advocacy from organizations like The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and the Zionist Organization of America.

As of June 30, 2022, Duke University's endowment had a market value of $12.1 billion. The university also boasts special academic facilities like an art museum, language labs, and research centers.

By the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2023, Duke University's endowment had grown to a market value of $11.6 billion, showcasing significant financial growth and stability.

In 2024, Duke University celebrates the centennial of its transformation from Trinity College to Duke University.