From 1937 until the death of Irving R. Templeton (UB Class of 1909) in 1965, the anniversary ceremonies on the birthdate of Millard Fillmore were a cooperative staging by the City of Buffalo with the Buffalo Board of Education. Templeton was a partner in the law offices of Templeton, Turnabull and Templeton, and administered the series in City Hall and at Forest Lawn, resulting in two programs annually on or near January 7.

Following Templeton’s death, responsibility for the event shifted to the University through an agreement between Chancellor Clifford C. Furnas and Al E. Kirchhofer, Editor of the Buffalo News. Although UB participated in programming prior to Templeton’s death, the 1966 event marks the official UB beginning of the tradition. Special programming has been scheduled and conducted annually at the grave site by the University, and has included luncheons in 1976 and 1977, as well as a special commemorative brunch hosted by the Buffalo Club marking the 200th anniversary of Fillmore’s birth in 2000.

The UB tradition has a senior university administrator deliver a brief memorial address as part of the ceremony, which also features the laying of wreaths, playing if taps, and introduction of special guests. The Vice President for University Relations and the Office of Public Affairs programmed the event from 1966 to 1987, after which the Office of Special Events took over the assignment.