Sigma Chi was founded in 1855 by Benjamin Piatt Runkle, Thomas Cowan Bell, William Lewis Lockwood, Isaac M. Jordan, Daniel William Cooper, Franklin Howard Scobey, and James Parks Caldwell as the result of a disagreement over who would be elected Poet in the Erodelphian Literary Society of Miami University in Ohio.

In the fall of 1854 the literary society was to elect its poet and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon was nominated for the position.

Whitelaw Reid, one of the other brothers who supported the Delta Kappa Epsilon member as poet, was the only one to arrive.

Reid brought a Delta Kappa Epsilon alumnus named Minor Millikin from a nearby town.

[3] Reid had told Millikin his side of the dispute and they had arrived to punish the group for not supporting their Delta Kappa Epsilon brother.

[3] Runkle resigned, and after the parent chapter at Yale University was contacted, all six men were formally expelled.

Much of Sigma Chi's heraldry was inspired by the legendary story of the Emperor Constantine from the Battle of Milvian Bridge against Maxentius.

Dixon stated the reasons for which the war-time chapter was created saying, It was ascertained that a number of the fraternity were in the army of Tennessee under General Joseph E. Johnston during the Atlanta campaign in 1864.

Furthermore, it was deemed expedient that we brothers should know each other and our several commands for the purpose of relief in distress, and communication in a case of need, with our Northern brethren.

I know that I had no authority to establish a chapter of Sigma Chi outside a college, or at all; but, isolated as we were, I thought I should raise the standard and fix a rallying point.

The men at that meeting passed a resolution to pay a "tribute of respect" to the four brothers from the chapter who had died during the war.

The Sigma Chi chapter at Purdue, which was already established at the university, sent petitions to the faculty and pleaded their case to the board of trustees, but was unsuccessful in changing the rule.

A great resurgence in undergraduate activity followed World War II due to an increase in chapter memberships.

This increase was caused by the men returning from military service who went back to school and the usual addition of new brothers.

[29] During World War II, it became apparent to the General Fraternity officers that a few alumni as well as a few undergraduate chapters believed some of the prerequisites for membership in Sigma Chi were outdated and should be changed or eliminated.

Until this time, membership requirements had specified that a potential member must be a "bona fide white male student".

Beta Theta Pro-Consul, Regis Toomey, sang the hymn "With Sacred Circle Broken" before Cooper was taken to his final resting place.

Grand Chapter is the supreme legislative body of Sigma Chi and convenes on odd numbered years.

The Grand Chapter elects the officers of the Fraternity as well as alter or amend the Constitution, Statutes, and Executive Committee Regulations.

Throughout the course of a week, a participating chapter organizes and hosts a series of events and competitions among their campus' sororities.

According to the International Fraternity's official website, the basic mission of Derby Days is to serve the community.

[42] According to archival information at Sigma Chi International Headquarters, the first "Derby Day" event was held in 1916 at the University of California-Berkeley.

The first seven Significant Sig awards were given to George Ade, Roy Chapman Andrews, John T. McCutcheon, Chase S. Osborn, James Wallington, F. Dudleigh Vernor, and Samuel P.

[47] The Order of Constantine is awarded to alumni members who have devoted long and distinguished service to the Fraternity.

The International Sweetheart Award is presented based on personality, character, campus involvement, Sigma Chi activities, general accomplishments, poise, and grace.

[50] The Military Service Recognition Pin recognizes honorably discharged veterans or currently serving members of the armed forces who are in good standing with the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

The pin consists of a single Norman-style sword thrust upward with a small Sigma Chi Norman Shield with a cross embossed upon it placed upon the lower end of the blade just above the hilt and is to be worn on the brother's lapel.

The Military service pin concept and design was created by Life Loyal Sig Anthony Dauer Theta Beta 1993 and was first presented at the 2007 Grand Chapter.

[7] The name was later changed to The Magazine of Sigma Chi The Norman Shield is the reference manual of the Fraternity.

These notable alumni include Brad Pitt, John Wayne, Tom Selleck, Brian Dennehy, Woody Harrelson, David Letterman, and Ty Burrell.