A graduation is the awarding of a diploma by an educational institution. It may also refer to the ceremony that is associated with it, which can also be called commencement, congregation, convocation or invocation. The date of the graduation ceremony is often called graduation day.
Students lined up at a graduation ceremony in the United States in the early 20th century
Graduation hats being tossed by fresh graduates of ISB (Hyderabad, India)
Medical student graduation in Avicenna Mausoleum, Hamedan, Iran
King's College London graduands wearing academic dresses without caps
A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or official document of diplomacy.
Sheepskin diploma from Mexico City College, 1948 (in Latin)
Greek Vocational Training Diploma
1915 Arlington Training School diploma
Typical U.S. college diploma