History
Cambridge Joins 250th Celebrations of Lexington and Concord on Patriots’ Day
The City of Cambridge celebrated Patriots’ Day with a reenactment of William Dawes’s 1775 horseback ride on its 250th anniversary, celebrating the nation’s founding while reflecting on current turmoil in Washington.
Former Birzeit President Accuses Harvard of Bowing to Pressure by Cutting Ties with His University
Former Birzeit University President Beshara Doumani slammed Harvard’s decision to cut ties with the Palestinian university as an act of political appeasement after speaking at the History Department’s Palestinian History event on Friday.
Historian Jon Meacham Says America is in ‘Moral Crisis’ at IOP Forum
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon E. Meacham said the United States was at a “crossroads” and called on Americans to remain committed to the fight for democracy at an Institute of Politics forum Wednesday.
Historian Stephan Thernstrom Remembered as Humble Pioneer, Leading Opponent of Affirmative Action
Stephan Thernstrom, a social historian and strong opponent of affirmative action who taught at Harvard for over thirty years, died Jan. 23 in Arlington, Virginia.
Cambridge Historical Commission Approves Chabad’s Demolition Plan
The Cambridge Historical Commission approved Harvard Chabad’s plan to demolish their 54-56 Banks St. property—a necessary step in their plans for expanding their building—in a Feb. 6 meeting.
Harvard Professor Vincent Brown Quits Legacy of Slavery Memorial Committee After University Lays Off Research Team
Harvard professor Vincent A. Brown resigned from a committee within the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery initiative on Monday, condemning the University’s decision to lay off Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program staff in a scathing resignation letter.
‘Standing at the Intersection’: The Medical Humanities’ Struggle for Footing at Harvard
In the last decade, universities across the country have expanded their medical humanities programs. But at Harvard, professors and students point to a need for formalized curricula and greater cross-field faculty hiring.
Harvard Museum of Natural History Hosts National Fossil Day
The Harvard Museum of Natural History welcomed visitors on Sunday for its third annual National Fossil Day event since the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing children and adults to learn about paleontology by interacting with artifacts from the museum's collections.
New Harvard Art Museums Initiative Lets Students Touch Ancient Artifacts
Harvard Art Museums opened their doors for a hands-on display of ancient Egyptian artifacts Friday, the first in a series of “First/Hand Fridays” showcasing the museum’s private collection for Harvard students.
Harvard Cancels More Than 30 Fall Courses Following Faculty Departures
Harvard College canceled more than 30 fall classes across at least 20 departments and other programs, according to a Crimson analysis of undergraduate course offerings.
Harvard Affiliates Enslaved Over 300 People, University Researchers Find
The Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program has identified more than 300 enslaved individuals who were owned by Harvard affiliates — a significantly higher figure than what the University initially disclosed in its 2022 report.
Infighting and Pressure From Above: Inside Harvard’s Legacy of Slavery Initiative
The $100 million Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery initiative is meant to redress the University’s historic ties to slavery. But over the last two years, the project has been hampered by internal tension, alleged pushback over its scope, and leadership turnover.
Roy Mottahedeh ’60, Pioneering Middle East Scholar Who Sought to Bridge U.S.-Iran Divide, Dies at 84
Roy W. P. Mottahedeh ’60, a longtime professor at Harvard who served as the founding director of the University’s Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program, died late last month at the age of 84.
Harvard Law School Professor Ties English Felony Law to Ancient Veil in Lecture
Harvard Law School professor Elizabeth P. Kamali ’97 lectured on the development of 13th century English felony law through the lens of historical artifacts during her Chair Lecture on Tuesday.
Harvard to Bring Back Introductory History Course for Fall Semester
The Harvard History department will resurrect an introductory undergraduate History course this fall after almost two decades.
