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.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Tells Harvard Students to ‘Dream Big’ at Center for European Studies Talk
Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho discussed the European Union’s defense strategies during an event at Harvard’s Center for European Studies on Tuesday.
Amid Pressure and Ardent Support, Penslar Mulled Stepping Down from Harvard Antisemitism Task Force
History professor Derek J. Penslar considered stepping down as co-chair of the presidential task force on antisemitism following backlash from high-profile critics as faculty and students rallied to his defense.
Harvard History Professor Jane Kamensky Appointed New President of Monticello
Jane Kamensky, a Harvard History professor and director of the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, will be the new president of Monticello, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Oct. 17.
Five Harvard Experts Weigh in on War in Israel and Gaza
As the war in Israel and Gaza continues, five Harvard faculty and affiliates with expertise in the region spoke with The Crimson about their views on the future of the conflict.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellow Discusses Theory of ‘Abolition Forgery’ in Webinar
Radcliffe fellow Ndubueze L. Mbah, an associate professor of history and global gender studies at the University at Buffalo, discussed the theory and implications of “abolition forgery” in a seminar hosted by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Wednesday.
In Photos: Black History at Harvard
The Crimson looks back at photos of important moments in Black history at Harvard, from its founding to today.
Houghton Library Opens Exhibition on Drag in America
Houghton Library opened on Tuesday an exhibition on the history of drag in America, organized by Matthew Wittmann, curator of the Harvard Theatre Collection.
Here are Five Key Findings From Harvard’s Long-Awaited Report on its Ties to Slavery
Harvard University released a landmark report on Tuesday that detailed the school’s extensive ties to slavery. Here are five key takeaways from the long-awaited report.
After Agreeing to Repatriate Ponca Tomahawk, Peabody Museum Awaits Visit from Tribal Leaders
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology removed a pipe tomahawk that once belonged to Ponca chief Standing Bear from its collections last September, after calls for the museum to return the tomahawk to the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma garnered international attention.