Harvard History & Traditions
Stories that explore the institution’s rich history, from archival moments to evolving traditions.
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
Headlines from Harvard's history
Headlines from Harvard’s history
Alain Locke as activist aesthete
Rediscovering Alain Locke and the project of black self-realization
by Adam Kirsch
Big names on campus, how to install a president, football at Fenway
Big names on campus, how to install a president, football at Fenway
by Primus VI
Samuel Huntington remembered
A memorial minute on the eminent political scientist
Headlines from Harvard’s history
“Reading period” debuts, the Maharishi visits, a blizzard shuts down the University, and more from the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine
Ship of state, margin call, dioramas, and Dan Aaron
Ship of state, margin call, dioramas, and Dan Aaron
by Primus VI
Harvard archivist Megan Sniffin-Marinoff
The University archivist on what it means to “document Harvard”
The Four Chaplains are honored at Harvard
A Veterans Day commemoration recalls service and sacrifice.
by Jean Martin
Harvard Law 200th in divisive era
The spirit of Harvard Law School, at 200, in a divisive era
E.E. Cummings and Samuel Beck—a Harvard undergraduate recollection
What one undergraduate learned