Harvard History

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

Cover of "Harvard's Best" featuring a woman in a red and black gown holding a sword.

A Forgotten Harvard Anthem

Published the year the Titanic sank, “Harvard’s Best” is a quizzical ode to the University.

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Demonstrating for equality…and other headlines from Harvard’s history

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. in a military uniform sits with a sword, looking at the camera.

Justice Holmes, presented by Stephen Budiansky and Lincoln Caplan

A new biography of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. illuminates the Supreme Court during the centennial of his most momentous dissent.

by Lincoln Caplan

Long live long books, the “Diploma Riots,” supporting young scholars

Resesarchers’ lengthy labors, “Diploma Riots,” supporting young scholars

by Primus VI

Harvard Lowell House changes portraits display

A meaningful change in the images on display in the renewed Lowell House

by John S. Rosenberg

Excavating 1968

The premiere of an alumnus’s film about a seminal year at Harvard and beyond 

by Lydialyle Gibson

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Cooking for the culinarily challenged…and other headlines from Harvard’s history

Participants recall the Harvard bust and strike, and its aftermath

Recalling a time of trial, and its continuing resonances

Princeton preps Harvard deans, prophetic Richard Pipes, and more

Harvard’s Tiger deans, the prophetic Richard Pipes, and a high-tech egg

by Primus VI

Calderwood Courtyard centers Harvard Art Museums

A tribute to the art museums’ Calderwood Courtyard

by John S. Rosenberg

A composite of Radclife College classes through the years: 1896, 1912, 1931, and 1935 on the cover of the November-December 1999 issue of Harvard Magazine.

Harvard’s Womanless History

Completing the University’s self-portrait