Harvard University Skip to main content Harvard University 1 site notification Learn about our lawsuits to protect our students and researchers Search Search Quick Links A to Z index Menu Academics Academics Academics Learning at Harvard can happen for every type of learner, at any phase of life. Degree programs Academics Degree programs Browse all of our undergraduate concentrations and graduate degrees. Explore Harvard's degree programs Undergraduate Degrees Graduate Degrees Other Professional and Lifelong Learning Harvard Online Harvard Schools Academics Visit each School for information on admissions and financial aid. Explore more Harvard College Harvard Business School Harvard Division of Continuing Education Harvard Divinity School Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Harvard Graduate School of Design Harvard Graduate School of Education Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Law School Harvard Medical School Harvard Radcliffe Institute Harvard School of Dental Medicine Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Campus Campus Harvard's Campus Get tickets to our next game, hours and locations for our libraries and museums, and information about your next career move. Libraries Campus Explore our libraries Arnold Arboretum Horticultural Library Baker Library and Special Collections Biblioteca Berenson Botany Libraries Cabot Science Library Countway Library Dumbarton Oaks Research Library Ernst Mayr Library Fine Arts Library Frances Loeb Library Fung Library Gutman Library Harvard Divinity School Library Harvard Film Archive Harvard Law School Library Harvard Map Collection Harvard University Archives Harvard-Yenching Library HKS Library and Knowledge Services Houghton Library Lamont Library Loeb Music Library Robbins Library of Philosophy Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America Tozzer Library Widener Library Woodberry Poetry Room Museums Campus Explore our museums The Arnold Arboretum Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments Graduate School of Design Exhibitions Harvard Art Museums Harvard Forest Harvard Museum of Natural History The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East Harvard Museums of Science and Culture Harvard University Herbaria Mineralogical and Geological Museum Museum of Comparative Zoology The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Warren Anatomical Museum Athletics Work at Harvard Belonging Events Commencement In Focus In Focus In Focus Explore a curated examination of Harvard's research, scholarly work, and community. Recent topics include: 1776 at Harvard In Focus 1776 at Harvard From training the leaders of the burgeoning nation to housing soldiers during the American Revolution, Harvard played an important role in early America. Learn more about Harvard's role Remembering September 11 In Focus Remembering September 11 Looking back at the day that shook America and exploring how the U.S. and the world have changed. Explore the day and the aftermath Welcome to Harvard In Focus Welcome to Harvard Talented students and world-class faculty come together at Harvard to collaborate on groundbreaking research, cutting-edge innovations, and transformative scholarly work. Explore what Harvard has to offer this fall Visit Visit Visit Harvard Ideas and assistance for your trip to our campus. Tours Maps and directions Tour Providers About About About Harvard Learn how Harvard is structured, explore our long history, and discover our extended community. History of Harvard About History of Harvard Harvard is perhaps best-known because of its enduring history of innovation in education. But even die-hard Harvard buffs are not likely to know all of these Harvard firsts and historical snippets. Learn more about Harvard's history History timeline Nobel Laureates Honorary Degrees Harvard shields Leadership and governance About Learn about our Leadership President Officers and Deans Harvard Corporation Board of Overseers University Professorships Endowment Harvard in the Community Harvard in the World News News The Harvard Gazette Official news from Harvard University about science, medicine, art, campus life, University issues, and broader national and global concerns. Trending News Stories News Read more news Survey of young researchers raises concerns over future of science in U.S. Fewer planning careers in academy, nation, and more doubt value of Ph.D. amid policy shifts in funding, international students What it takes to solve math’s toughest problems Logic skills, yes, but also two seemingly incompatible traits: Confidence and humility Has pancreatic cancer met its match? Frontline researcher sees newly approved medication as ‘critical first step’ toward transformation of care Sign up for the Daily Gazette Navigation Quick Links A to Z index Find a person Events Media Relations Alumni Give Now Emergency Harvard University Close Harvard University 1776 at Harvard From training the leaders of the burgeoning nation to housing soldiers during the American Revolution, Harvard played an important role in early America. A Prospect of the Colledges in Cambridge in New England, William Burgis, 1726. Founding Fathers from Harvard Harvard alumni and key figures of the American Revolution, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, all signed the Declaration of Independence. Learn what influenced those writing the Declaration John Hancock John Hancock received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1754. He served as president of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence with his famously large signature. Samuel Adams Samuel Adams earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard in 1740, and his masters in 1743. At the Continental Congress he emerged as an outspoken advocate for establishing independence. John Adams John Adams graduated from Harvard College graduated from Harvard College in 1755, and earned his masters in 1758. He attended the First Continental Congress and emerged as the leader of the pro-independence faction in Congress. Explore the history of Harvard’s copy Click to Play Video The Declaration of Independence Harvard holds a Dunlap broadside copy of the original Declaration of Independence at Houghton Library. Students in David Armitages “Declarations of Independence” seminar view this copy and discuss how the document revolutionized global politics. Revolutionary reorganization Cambridge and Boston were key sites during the revolutionary period. A special self-guided, mobile tour from Harvard offers unique insights about notable places on and around campus and reveals the historical context behind them. Take the tour On May 1, 1775, Harvard undergraduates were dismissed early for the year. Two months later, General George Washington set up his first Massachusetts headquarters in Harvards Wadsworth House. Meanwhile, more than 1,500 soldiers moved into five other Harvard buildings nearby. Classes resumed for Harvard students on October 5, but students reported to class 20 miles away in Concord, Massachusetts. Learn more about the move Explore the Harvard and the American Revolution exhibit History at Harvard George Washingtons honorary degree On April 3, 1776 Harvard President Samuel Langdon and the fellows of the College voted to award General George Washington an honorary doctoral degree. Washington’s diploma is currently in the Library of Congress, but a reproduction is part of the Harvard University Archives’ collections. Listen to Harvard President Alan Garber read the honorary degree. Your browser does not support the audio tag. Learn more about the degree and read the transcript First commander in chief Gentleman farmer, magistrate, and Harvard alum Artemas Ward took charge of the colonial militia in Cambridge in 1775 until relieved by George Washington. Learn more about Artemas Ward Learn more about Artemas Ward Military doctor Before founding Harvard Medical School, Harvard alum John Warren served as a surgeon in the Continental Army. Learn more about John Warren Learn more about John Warren A plan for Boston Click to Play Video Revolutionary maps Part of the collection at Harvards Houghton Library is a Revolutionary-era map drawn in October 1775 by British Lieutenant Richard Williams while he was stationed in Boston. The map captures a pivotal moment in the early American Revolution, showing a city almost completely surrounded by water, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, and transformed by military occupation. Paul Reveres depiction of the Boston Massacre transformed a violent confrontation into a powerful political image that helped build support for the revolutionary cause. The Harvard Divinity School Library collection includes rare items associated with Founding Fathers John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and George Washington. This “book” is made of wood from an elm tree that stood near Harvard Yard. That elm is believed to be the tree under which George Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775. Abigail and John Adams' letters Click to Play Video Revolutionary writing Founding Father John Adams and his wife Abigail lived apart for much of their married life, and often corresponded via letters. Recently on campus, Harvard alumni Amy Brenneman and Courtney B. Vance read letters written between the historic pair. Life in 1776 Founded in 1636, Harvard was more than 100 years old at the time of the American Revolution. Harvard libraries, museums, and collections have a wide range of documents, items, and records from this time period. Explore Harvards colonial artifacts Celebrating 250 years Throughout the year, events, exhibits, and collaborations at Harvard are exploring and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Tuesday, October 13 The Tobacco Takers: Puritans, Pipes, and Bodily Care Tuesday, October 13 Clay tobacco pipes often found at 17th-century archaeological sites in Massachusetts reveal widespread use, despite strict social and religious restrictions. Diana DiPaolo Loren discusses tobacco and tobacco pipes in Puritan New England. The Tobacco Takers: Puritans, Pipes, and Bodily Care Friday, October 16 America at 250 and Beyond: A Well-Informed Citizenry Friday, October 16 Moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor Jill Lepore, this panel discussion focuses on the importance of a well-informed citizenry to the health of constitutional democracy. America at 250 and Beyond: A Well-Informed Citizenry Open through October 18 Special Exhibit: Washington's Sash Open through October 18 George Washington created a system of colored sashes to denote rank, assigning “a light blue Ribband" to the commander-in-chief. A blue taffeta sash once belonging to Washington is on display at the Harvard Peabody Museum. Special Exhibit: Washingtons Sash Open through November 30 Charting Independence Open through November 30 Revolutionary War maps from the Harvard Map Collection that are part of the American Revolutionary Geographies Online collaborative database are on display at Pusey Library. Charting Independence Open through December Harvard and the American Revolution Open through December Through curated objects, documents, and narratives from the collections of the Harvard University Archives, this exhibit explores how the Harvard community helped shape—and was shaped by—the birth of the American republic. Harvard and the American Revolution A year of celebrations Revisit some of the special events and happenings from the 250th anniversary of the United States. The American Experiment at 250: Democracy & Disagreement, Harvard Law School The American Experiment at 250: Law & Governance, Harvard Law School Remembering the Revolution: The Siege of Boston, Faculty of Arts and Sciences The American Revolution in Global Perspec…