A History Of Harvard University In 1 Minute

Harvard University is internationally known as one of the most prestigious universities in the United States, if not the world. From students to maintenance workers, any affiliation with the school is immediately recognized with prominence. This type of perception only comes with a long and important history, one that Harvard most certainly has.
Founded in 1636, Harvard University, originally called ‘New College,’ is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It originated as an undergraduate school for training clergymen, as Massachusetts was heavily populated with Puritan citizens. That year, the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted to establish the school, which seemed to be a prestigious institution from the beginning. They received the only printing press in North America in 1638, which remained the lone source of printing until Harvard gained a second one in 1659.

In 1937, the land that would become Harvard Yard – the epicenter of campus life – was purchased. Two years later, the school would receive its current name. It was named after the college’s first benefactor, John Harvard, a clergyman who donated half of his estate and his library, a collection of 400 books. A statue of him sits in Harvard Yard, one of the best-known landmarks throughout the entire campus. Puritan clergyman Henry Dunster was appointed the first president in 1640. For some time, he not only oversaw the entire college, but he also taught classes and developed curriculum for all courses. He created controversy in his religious views with the Puritan community, but he is generally regarded as an important figure whose intelligence was needed to start the school and hold the institution together in difficult financial times. In 1942, Dunster held the college’s first commencement ceremony, with a total of nine graduates.

Moving into the 18th century, Harvard College – it would be recognized as a university in 1780 –continued to grow and soon began to produce graduates of great importance. In 1776, eight alumni were signers of the Declaration of Independence. Eight US Presidents have attended one of the schools, and 13 have received honorary degrees. The famous Harvard shield was designed in 1836, with the current motto ‘VERITAS,’ meaning truth.

While the institution had been developed by Puritans to train clergymen, it quickly expanded into the multiple colleges that exist today. Harvard’s first graduate school was established in 1782, the school of medicine. Today, the university is comprised of Harvard College, 12 degree-granting graduate schools, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies. Over 20,000 students attend the university each year, and the school stands as the 5th highest employer in Massachusetts. The current president, Drew Faust, was inaugurated in 2007, and since then, she has increased financial aid, promoted diversity and inclusion, and incorporated major sustainability goals for the college.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.