News
Progressive Labor Party Organizes Solidarity March With Harvard Yard Encampment
News
Encampment Protesters Briefly Raise 3 Palestinian Flags Over Harvard Yard
News
Mayor Wu Cancels Harvard Event After Affinity Groups Withdraw Over Emerson Encampment Police Response
News
Harvard Yard To Remain Indefinitely Closed Amid Encampment
News
HUPD Chief Says Harvard Yard Encampment is Peaceful, Defends Students’ Right to Protest
As Harvard is in its three hundred and first year, one might assume that the coming Commencement would be the 301st, but such is not the fact.
The first Commencement was in 1642. No Commencement was held in 1644, and, owing to war, pestilence, disorder, and other causes, three were none in 1752, 1757, 1764, or from 1774 to 1780, inclusive. Since 1781 there has been one every year. Apparently, therefore, the 1937 exercises are the two hundred and eighty-sixth.
Nor is the Class of 1937 the 301st graduating class. The first class was the Class of 1642. There were no classes in 1644, 1648, 1672, or 1688, but there were two graduating classes in 1653, and since 1689 a class has graduated every year with unfailing regularity.
Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.