Clemson-Carolina: The end of Big Thursday

The Clemson-South Carolina game grew to be an important social and political event. From the first time the two schools met in 1896 to the 1959 meeting, they played in Columbia during the week of the State Fair. The first 57 meetings were played on the third Thursday of every October.

The game became so big, it was known as “Big Thursday” in the state of South Carolina. It was a holiday in the state as students from both schools got out of class for what was known as the State Fair Holidays. There was no business by the state government and all offices were closed.

Clemson would hold its annual Gamecock burial the Tuesday night before the game, while South Carolina fans hosted their annual…