Long Beach City College Centennial celebration

1927

Long Beach Junior College opens

LBCC opens its doors at Woodrow Wilson High School on September 21, 1927, welcoming its first class of 503 students.

1933

Long Beach Earthquake

After the 6.4-magnitude Long Beach earthquake damages local schools, the College continues instruction at Recreation Park and in temporary facilities.

1935

Liberal Arts Campus Opens

On September 16, 1935, the Colleges opens its new campus on Carson Street, the site of today's Liberal Arts Campus.

1949

LBCC Expands to a Second Campus

During the post-World War II era of growth, the College acquires the former Hamilton Junior High School property on Pacific Coast Highway. The site eventually becomes today's Trades, Technology, and Community Learning campus.

1964

The Vikings Are Triumphant in the Jr. Rose Bowl

The Vikings win the football game against Cameron College.

1960s

The Civil Rights Movement

From fall 1967 through early 1968, LBCC launches its Free Speech Program, encouraging students to engage with and speak out on the issues shaping their time. In 1967, LBCC elects its first Black/African American Homecoming Queen, followed by the election of Charles Brown as the College’s first Black/African American ASB president in 1968. Throughout the decade, LBCC welcomes prominent guest speakers, including Roots author Alex Haley, who visits campus in 1969. That same year, LBCC’s Black Student Union forms, marking another important milestone in the College’s evolving student community.

1980s

LBCC Welcomes a Growing Southeast Asian Community

As refugees and immigrants from Southeast Asia make Long Beach home, LBCC welcomes a growing population of Cambodian, Vietnamese, Laotian, and other Southeast Asian students. In 1986, Cambodian American student Chenda Seng is crowned Homecoming Queen.

1987

First Woman Leads LBCC

LBCC alumna and former Vice President of Student Services Dr. Beverly L. O’Neill becomes the College’s sixth Superintendent-President and the first woman to lead LBCC.

1992

Lesbian and Gay Student Union Gains ASB Recognition

The Lesbian and Gay Student Union gains official Associated Student Body status and sponsors a Coming Out Day event in the Liberal Arts Campus Quad.

2008

Long Beach College Promise Begins

LBCC, Long Beach Unified School District, and California State University, Long Beach, formalize the Long Beach College Promise, creating a collaborative pathway to expand college access and educational opportunities for Long Beach students.

2026

Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center Opens

LBCC celebrates the opening of the Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center, named in honor of the LBCC alumna, Long Beach native, and internationally renowned Latina music artist. The new center provides state-of-the-art spaces for music, dance, theater, recording, broadcasting, and multimedia arts.