Harvard History & Traditions

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

Magna Carta on display in Houghton Library

University News |

An Original Magna Carta, Hidden in Plain Sight

A rare original surfaces at Harvard at an “almost providential” moment. 

by Nina Pasquini

Robert Kiely escorts Tennessee Williams at Commencement in 1982.

The College Pump | January-February 2013

Blessed Unexpectedly

Tennessee Williams, Mother Teresa…and Gore Vidal

John Harvard's Journal | January-February 2013

Yesterday’s News

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

An enlarged version of the famous bronze bust of Roosevelt created by American sculptor Jo Davidson appears at the threshold of a square, white-granite, open-air plaza.

Students & Alumni |

Four Freedoms Park Honors FDR, Class of 1904

The New York City site is the first memorial to the president in his home state.

The Pennoyer schoolhouse bell, from Pulham St. Mary in England, now at Leverett House

The College Pump | November-December 2012

Ipso Facto!

Of the Pennoyer bell, and Harvard Bandsman Allan R. Robinson, Latin librettist

John Harvard's Journal | November-December 2012

Yesterday's News

Headlines from Harvard history

Holding their blue-trimmed class banner, sophomore class Undergraduate Council representatives Chris Smiles (at left) and Ryley Reynolds flank Catherine Katz ’13 and associate dean of Harvard College Joan Rouse. Katz first proposed a sophomore class event to administrators. Smiles and Reynolds are also members of the Harvard Alumni Association’s Building Community Committee.

University News |

Sophomore Class Acquires Its Color

A Harvard tradition of passing colors down from graduating seniors to rising sophomores is revived.

Marden in New Zealand on his way from the farm to Wellington to try to leave for America, 1942

The College Pump | September-October 2012

Shepherds, Take Heart!

How Bill Marden got into Harvard and fulfilled the language requirement.

<i>Industrial Problems, Welfare Work: United States. Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh.H.J. Heinz Company: Bottling Department, </i> c. 1903. Gelatin silver print.

Treasure | September-October 2012

Reform School

Harvard’s long-closed Social Museum promoted progressive values.

by Christopher Reed

John Harvard's Journal | September-October 2012

Yesterday’s News

Headlines from Harvard history

Mark Saltveit displays for the first (and last?) time the World Palindrome Championship trophy.

The College Pump | July-August 2012

Wow. Huh?

A World Palindrome Champion, a sleuthing architect, and Yo-Yo Ma on Leon Kirchner