School colors
Columbia's official color's are "Columbia Blue" and white. Both colors were originally drawn from the two literary societies that were at the heart of student life in the 19th century: Philolexian Blue, and Peithologian White.
The current Philolexian Society (unrelated to the earlier group, save in name) maintains, in mock indignation, the position that the colors were in fact stolen. In 1986, one member of the society wrote a letter to the President of the University demanding $1 million in restitution.[1]
