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

Installation photos of Harvard presidents Lawrence Summers, Drew Gilpin Faust, and Lawrence Bacow

Reading the Tea Leaves

The messages and meanings of Harvard’s presidential installations

Illustration of a football coin toss with coin landing on edge

Yesterday’s News

A coin toss forecasts a surprising football score.

Claudine Gay and her husband, Christopher Afendulis, outside Houghton Library, June 13, 2023

A “Scholar’s Scholar”

A profile of Harvard’s thirtieth president

by John S. Rosenberg

A March 1, 1965, civil rights meeting at Selma’s Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church

Getting Close, in Selma

Acting at a moment of conscience

by Drew Gilpin Faust

Team photo, Boston Tigers in 1940, Arthur Augustus “Fats” Johnson at far right

Arthur Augustus Johnson

Brief life of a Black baseball impresario: 1890-1951

by Kasey Uhlenhuth , Harry R. Lewis

Illustration of Massachusetts Hall, Harvard president’s office

Presidents’ Paths

Life decisions en route to Massachusetts Hall

by Primus VI

Ursula Bailey working in a Harvard geology laboratory, 1945

Trailblazer in Space Science: The Legacy of Harvard's Ursula B. Marvin

Brief life of a pioneering planetary geologist: 1921-2018

by David A. Kring

The late professors Roy J. Glauber and Henry Rosovsky

Origin Stories

Eminent professors’ life foundations

by Primus VI

Cartoon of Anne Pusey redecoration president’s house 1953

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Memorial Church

Henry Rosovsky Memorial Service May 31

President Bacow invites the community to remember a Harvard giant.

by John S. Rosenberg