Harvard History & Traditions

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

Free Speech, the Bomb—and Donald Trump

A Harvard cardiologist on the unlikely alliances that shaped a global movement to prevent nuclear war

Henry Rosovsky: a tribute from Harvard Magazine

A tribute to Henry Rosovsky from Harvard Magazine

by John S. Rosenberg

Headlines from Harvard history

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

Shaping Richard Henry Dana Jr.

How Richard  Henry Dana Jr. came to hate slavery and injustice

A grand chandelier at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre

In Sanders Theatre, a “constellation” of a chandelier

by Peter DeMarco

Headlines from Harvard history

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

A long run in The Nutcracker, and the Blackout of '65

Nutcracker notes, and a memorable blackout

Brief life of Harvard astronomer William Cranch Bond, by Alan Hirshfeld

Brief life of Harvard's first astronomer: 1789-1859

by Alan Hirshfeld

Headlines from Harvard history, September-October 1910-1995

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

Harvard's WHRB's unusual and ingenious mix of classical, jazz, country, and rock

For 75 years, WHRB has moved beyond the “warhorses.”

by Craig Lambert

How Jim Connor got to Harvard, and Isadore Zarakov’s home run

How Jim Connor got to Harvard, and Isadore Zarakov’s home run