On This Day

Cambridge College, Massachusetts, renamed Harvard for clergyman John Harvard

Harvard University was founded in 1636 in New Towne, a settlement itself founded six years earlier in colonial-era Massachusetts Bay Colony, one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Harvard University was founded in 1636 in New Towne, a settlement itself founded six years earlier in colonial-era Massachusetts Bay Colony, one of the original Thirteen Colonies. In 1638, New Towne was renamed Cambridge, in honor of Cambridge, England, where many of the Colony's settlers had attended the University of Cambridge.

In 1639 the school was given the name Harvard College after its first major benefactor, clergyman John Harvard.

Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. In the late 18th century, as Harvard began granting graduate and doctorate-level degrees, it began to be called Harvard University, with Harvard College referring exclusively to its undergraduate program.

Historical Significance

Harvard University was founded in 1636 in New Towne, a settlement itself founded six years earlier in colonial-era Massachusetts Bay Colony, one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Events Before

  1. Dutch countess Louise of Solms marries earl John of Brederode

    Dutch countess Louise of Solms marries earl John of Brederode

  2. Dutch Premier Van Joost speaks of "Hostage Rights of Aemstel"

    Dutch Premier Van Joost speaks of "Hostage Rights of Aemstel"

  3. Petition in Recife Brazil leads to closing of their 2 synagogues

    Petition in Recife Brazil leads to closing of their 2 synagogues

  4. Scottish Presbyterians sign the National Covenant at Greyfriars, Edinburgh

    The National Covenant (Scottish Gaelic: An Cùmhnant Nàiseanta) was an agreement signed by many people of Scotland during 1638, opposing the proposed Laudian reforms of the Church of Scotland (also...

  5. Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimar occupies Rheinfelden

    Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimar occupies Rheinfelden

Events After

  1. English Long Parliament forms

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  2. English Short Parliament forms (till May 5)

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  3. English Short Parliament rises

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  4. 2,000 men from the VOC army surround the city of Malacca

    2,000 men from the VOC army surround the city of Malacca

  5. Portugal regains independence after 60 years of Spanish rule following a revolution by Portuguese nobility; the Portugue

    Portugal regains independence after 60 years of Spanish rule following a revolution by Portuguese nobility; the Portuguese Restoration War begins and lasts until 1668 with recognition by Spain of the country's independence

More from the 1630s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 13, 1639?
Harvard University was founded in 1636 in New Towne, a settlement itself founded six years earlier in colonial-era Massachusetts Bay Colony, one of the original Thirteen Colonies. In 1638, New Towne was renamed Cambridge, in honor of Cambridge, England, where many of the Colony's settlers had attended the University of Cambridge. In 1639 the school was given the name Harvard College after its first major benefactor, clergyman John Harvard.
Why is Cambridge College, Massachusetts, renamed Harvard for clergyman John Harvard significant?
Harvard University was founded in 1636 in New Towne, a settlement itself founded six years earlier in colonial-era Massachusetts Bay Colony, one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

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