Harvard History & Traditions

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

Jack Reardon waves

The College Pump | July-August 2025

Tips of the Hat(s)

On regalia, a Jack-of-all-trades retirement, and a Bok’s office bon mot.

by Primus VI

John Harvard's Journal | March-April 2019

Yesterday’s News

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

Features | March-April 2019

Echoes of 1969

Recalling a time of trial, and its continuing resonances

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 College |

From the Archives: Harvard’s Womanless History

Completing the University’s self-portrait 

John Harvard's Journal | January-February 2019

Yesterday’s News

When the Law School made thin ice…and other headlines from Harvard’s history

The College Pump | January-February 2019

Sculpting Hallowed Ground

Re-landscaping Massachusetts Hall, making the entrance to Harvard Yard more welcoming

by Primus VI

Harvard History & Traditions |

From the Archives: 1968, When “Harvard Beats Yale”

The immediate post-Game coverage, and an update on that famous headline

John Harvard's Journal | November-December 2018

Larry 29

The University’s new leader focuses on challenges to higher education in America.

by John S. Rosenberg

John Harvard's Journal | November-December 2018

Khalil Abdur-Rashid

The University’s Muslim chaplain

by Sophia Nguyen

John Harvard's Journal | November-December 2018

Yesterday’s News

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Happy campers: For their team photo, a day or two after The Game, the Crimson wore practice jerseys, giving them rather a raffish look.

Features | November-December 2018

The Players

How the Crimson squad from the immortal ’68 Game revealed a transforming Harvard

by George Howe Colt