Harvard History & Traditions

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

Alan Garber speaking at a podium in Memorial Church, with wooden panels in the background.

In Sermon, Garber Urges Harvard Community to ‘Defend and Protect’ Institutions

Harvard’s president uses traditional Memorial Church address to encourage divergent views.

by Jonathan Shaw

Drawing of Poco from Harvard Celebrities: A Book of Caricatures and Decorative Drawings, 1901

The Poco of Pocos

Brief life of a Harvard “character”

by Hanna Rose Shell

Yesterday’S News: Headlines From Harvard’S History

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

Portrait photograph of Sidney Verba

Sidney Verba, and a Classy Class Reporter

Harvard’s mensch, and a record-setting recorder of Crimson lives

by Primus VI

Photograph of Commencement guest speaker Ruth J. Simmons

Harvard Graduation Morning Exercises Commencement 2021

The Morning Exercises—further adapted for the era of COVID and streaming—come with strong messages about racial justice.

by John S. Rosenberg , Jacob Sweet

University Hall

Faculty of Arts and Sciences Rule Changes Teaching Awards

Honors teaching excellence, and the memory of Nathan Glazer, in last regular meeting of the academic year

by John S. Rosenberg

Drawing of a female mallard flying down to her nest on a Harvard rooftop with food for her seven ducklings, each bearing a letter on its chest spelling out H-A-R-V-A-R-D.

Headlines From Harvard’S History

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Photograph of Harvard economist Martin Feldstein

Wilbur Cross, Martin Feldstein, and Charles William Eliot

Wisdom from the Great Depression—plus an accomplished economist, and rowdiness on the Charles

by Primus VI

Solomon Gate in an open position.

An Innovative Gate for Harvard Yard

At Houghton and Lamont libraries, a creative new entry into the Yard

by Jacob Sweet

Mark Steele illustration of Lowell House’s bells being rung for the first time by a giant hand stretching from a cloud to swing the detached belfry.

Headlines From Harvard’S History

Headlines from Harvard’s history

A man runs around the perimeter of Harvard Stadium

Harvard’S Popular Runners’S Loop

A legendary route’s disputed distance

by Jacob Sweet