As America celebrates its 250th, we reflect on the people, ideas and discoveries that will shape its future.

For more than 150 years, the University of California has helped advance the nation through ingenuity, breakthroughs and the education of generations of graduates, who have gone on to support the nation in countless ways themselves. Here are just five examples of how UC has contributed to the nation's character, resilience and hope.

UC helps California feed America

A citrus grove at UC Riverside. UC Riverside developed the wildly popular Tango mandarin, which you can find in the grocery store as a Wonderful Halo or Cutie, among other brands. Credit: Elena Zhukova/University of California

Imagine your grocery store without a produce section. No nuts, no wine, no fresh salad greens.

If California's farming industry didn't exist, we might not be able to dig into these foods - after all, the Golden State provides a third of the nation's vegetables and 75% of its fruits and nuts. At the very least, they would be much more expensive.

But all that abundance on your plate didn't happen by accident - it's the result of federal support for science and work by the University of California that goes back to the university's earliest beginnings.

The UC story behind one of history's pivotal moments

Everyone has heard of D-Day, the June 6, 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy that stunned the Germans and changed the fate of World War II.

What most people don't know is that D-Day was supposed to happen on June 5. But a storm that day in the notoriously volatile English Channel that would have made any amphibious landing a disaster.

The success of the entire operation hinged on the ability to predict the weather - using UC research.

UC athletes changed the world

A portrait of UCLA superstar and trailblazer Jackie Robinson in his Brooklyn Dodgers' uniform, circa 1945. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Does anyone embody the qualities of resilience, tenacity and drive like Jackie Robinson?

UCLA is where Robinson first started making history, setting a rushing record on college football's most integrated team, winning the NCAA championship in long jump, even playing a little baseball.

Robinson is the kind of athlete that captures the world's imagination and represents the best of America - a boundary-breaking role model and a star in his sport. UC athletes are at the center of America's story, bringing people together in celebration, setting records and creating opportunities for future generations.

UC research saves premature babies

The premature passing of Patrick Kennedy, one of President Kennedy's children, brought national attention to the medical challenges faced by preemie babies across the country.

The solution, surfactant, came from federally funded UC research.

Preemies used to live only a few weeks. Thanks to UC's breakthrough, these babies now have a 90% survival rate.

UC veteran care transforms medicine - for everyone

Across seven VA medical centers, UC faculty and trainees help deliver care to veterans while also preparing California's physician workforce, with more than two-thirds of UC medical students, residents and fellows training in VA settings. Credit: Getty Images

California is home to approximately 1.5 million veterans, the largest veteran population in the country. Returning to civilian life from service with specialized health needs, veterans often feel left behind by the country they served.

At UC, veterans and their healthcare needs are at the forefront - from patient care to breakthrough research to partnerships that help train the next generation of health professionals. In fact, over 60% of UC medical students train at VA medical centers.

UC serves California, and America.

We're celebrating our shared past and looking toward a bright future.

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