Harvard History & Traditions

Stories that explore the institution’s rich history, from archival moments to evolving traditions.

Jack Reardon waves

A Look at Harvard’s Distinctive Doctoral Regalia

On regalia, a Jack-of-all-trades retirement, and a Bok’s office bon mot.

by Primus VI

Photograph of Rob Gogan, retired recycling director and acute observer of nature on campus

Harvard’s naturalist, acronym guide, distracted professor at work

The campus’s Mr. Green, accessing acronyms, mathematician at work, and a distracted astronomer

by Primus VI

An historic photograph from Radcliffe’s Schlesinger Library archives shows the 1936 exhibition on women scientists—in this case, folders of their published scholarship.

Radcliffe’s 1936 exhibit celebrating women in university life

“Women in Science” on display

by Alona Bach

In Harvard Yard, workers unload gigantic heads of lettuce and other greens from a truck prominently labeled United Farm Workers as students celebrate the University's decision to support the union workers by buying only UFW-certified produce.

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Master Yon Lee extends his hands in a tai chi pose.

Tai chi master Yon Lee

The healing of Master Yon Lee

by Jacob Sweet

Historic photograph of Charles Follen Cabot, Civil War soldier, standing, in uniform

Civil War image, Empire State homage, and more

A Civil War image and an Empire State Building homage

by Primus VI

An image of a 10-centimeter-wide glass model of Phymactis pustulata, found in intertidal zones in the Western South Atlantic.

Blaschka Glass Sea Creatures Rendered in 3D

Complementary imaging techniques combine to create 3-D models that virtual visitors can examine from any angle.

by Matteo Wong

Cartoon of a submerged submarine with a cut-out view of the interior, where crew members are taking a Harvard course via video recording.

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Photograph of David Evans

David L. Evans, longtime Harvard admissions officer, retires

David L. Evans made a difference for 50 years.

by Matteo Wong

Illustration imagining the evolution of computer science at Harvard in a playful way

Computer science at Harvard in the 1960s and 1970s

The “yeasty” times” when computer research grew at Harvard

by Harry R. Lewis

A drawing of students rebelling in a dining hall.

The much-shrunken class of 1823

The Class of 1823 goes rogue and gets booted.

by Jacob Sweet