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The University of San Carlos of Guatemala (Spanish: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala) (USAC) was one of the first universities in America. It was officially declared a university on January 31, 1676 by royal command of King Charles II of Spain. It had previously been known as the School of Saint Thomas (Escuela de Santo Tomás), founded in 1562 by the priest Francisco Marroquín. The University finally gained international acceptance by Official Decree from Pope Innocent XI, on June 18, 1687.
In the early years, from the 16th to 19th centuries, it offered studies in civil and liturgical law, theology, philosophy, medicine and indigenous languages. In the 20th century it produced some of the best writers in Guatemalan literature, including 1967 Nobel Prize winner Miguel Ángel Asturias.
During the Repression years (1962-1996) and what some call the Guatemalan Civil War (early 1960s to 1995), the University was at the forefront of the fight of the people against military dictatorship. As a university it was open to all ideologies, including communist, socialist, and others.
Contemporarily, the University offers courses in practically all areas of science and humanistic studies, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are several USAC extensions in all the major cities of the Country. It is considered one of the best public universities in Central America.
[edit] Notable Alumni
[edit] Heads of State
[edit] Guatemala
[edit] El Salvador
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