Journalist and author Fareed Zakaria was named Commencement speaker for the Class of 2012 Friday.

As the Class of 2011 graduates from Harvard, The Crimson publishes its annual Year in Review issue. In this special section, we discuss the events and trends that have made this school year memorable.

Couldn't make it to Commencement? Don't worry: we've got you covered with a live blog of Commencement starting today at 9:45 a.m. You can also watch the ceremony live here.

University Professor Paul E. Farmer challenged graduates to find ways to incorporate compassion and persistence into the development of future public policies.

Gomes would come to be known, in part, by his voice—its rich humor, its melody, its power, and its timbre. Though he died in February, his voice—and all that it stood for—will continue to resonate in the memory of those who knew him.

While the rest of their classmates are busy enjoying lunch in Harvard Square and strolling across campus with family and friends, Scott A. Levin-Gesundheit ’11 and Molly O. Fitzpatrick ’11 will be downing cough drops and speaking to a mirror, respectively.

Over the course of the next few weeks, seniors will have to sit through a number of speeches—some good, some bad. In the spirit of the season, we decided to profile some of Harvard's most notable Commencement and Class Day speeches.