Class Day--like Baccalaureate and Commencement itself--is a long-established tradition. Held in the Tercentenary Theater, this day before Commencement has traditionally showcased student speakers with the Harvard and Radcliffe speeches and the humorous Ivy Oration. The Ames Award is given to the unsung heroes of the class, and together, the seniors sing the Class Ode--a unique version of "Fair Harvard" written by a senior.

The semester-long road leading up to Class Day and Commencement is also filled with tradition. Events that help the class bond during its last semester have become almost as famous among seniors as the graduation ceremony itself.

The Senior Soiree, the Senior Stumble, the Champagne Brunch, the Last Chance Dance and the Moonlight Cruise are just some events that have become unofficial traditions in their own right.

Few seniors, however, know the history or the people behind the traditions they have come to expect as Commencement approaches. Even for the class marshals, who are in charge of planning class events, tradition takes a back seat to organizing social get-togethers that will promote class unity.

"I think [seniors] appreciate the tradition, but these events are just to have students get together and bond," says Harvard Class Marshal Anupam Mishra '98. "Even as marshals, we don't look at where this started from as much as how much fun we can generate."

Class Day Origins

Class Day has undergone major changes since its inception.

While similar ceremonies have been held for centuries, Class Day became formalized in the 19th century, according to University Marshal Richard M. Hunt.

Hunt describes the early Class Day as a carnival-like celebration which sometimes included circus elephants, clowns and "a good bit of drinking."

"It's more restrained now, but still a lovely forum in the Yard with the speeches and things," he says.

The format of the speeches, which includes those given by members of the class, and the one given by a guest speaker, has not changed in the last 100 years, Hunt says.

But the class's choice has.

"Originally, students chose their 'most beloved' professor to give them some parting advice in what became known as the Class Day speech," says Chandler F. Arnold '98, a Harvard class marshal.

This custom changed in the late '60s as the relationship between students and the University became more antagonistic.

"They apparently cared little about any advice the administration had to give them," Arnold says.