On This Day
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Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, holds its first commencement

What was originally called Harvard Colledge (around which Harvard University eventually grew) held its first Commence­ment in September 1642, when nine degrees were conferred. Today some 1700...

What was originally called Harvard

Colledge

(around which Harvard University eventually grew) held its first Commence­ment in September 1642, when nine degrees were conferred.

Today some 1700 under­grad­uate degrees, and 5000 advanced degrees from the university's various graduate and professional schools, are conferred each Commence­ment Day.

As of 2024, each degree candidate attends two ceremonies: the Morning Exercises, at which degrees are conferred verbally en masse; a smaller midday ceremony (at the candidate's professional or graduate school, or undergraduate House) at which diplomas are given in hand.

The ceremonies shifted from late summer to late June in the nineteenth century,

and are now held at the end of May.

A number of unusual traditions have attached to them over the...

Historical Significance

What was originally called Harvard Colledge (around which Harvard University eventually grew) held its first Commence­ment in September 1642, when nine degrees were conferred.

Events Before

  1. Dutch East India Company conquers the city of Malacca, killing about 7,000 people

    Dutch East India Company conquers the city of Malacca, killing about 7,000 people

  2. William II, Prince of Orange (14) marries English princess Mary Henrietta Stuart (9) at Whitehall Palace, London

    William II, Prince of Orange (14) marries English princess Mary Henrietta Stuart (9) at Whitehall Palace, London

  3. General Court of Election declares Rhode Island a democracy and adopts a new constitution

    General Court of Election declares Rhode Island a democracy and adopts a new constitution

  4. France and Portugal sign anti-Spanish covenant

    France and Portugal sign anti-Spanish covenant

  5. Battle at La Marfée Sedan: Earl Soisson beats French government army

    Battle at La Marfée Sedan: Earl Soisson beats French government army

Events After

  1. Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven form the United Colonies of New England

    The United Colonies of New England, commonly known as the New England Confederation, was a confederal alliance of the New England colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Saybrook (Connecticut), and…

  2. Pavonia Massacre: Dutch US colonists kill 120 Algonquin Native Americans at Communipaw (New Jersey)

    Pavonia Massacre: Dutch US colonists kill 120 Algonquin Native Americans at Communipaw (New Jersey)

  3. Tirso de Molina's "Bellaco Sois, Gomez" premieres in Madrid

    Tirso de Molina's "Bellaco Sois, Gomez" premieres in Madrid

  4. Lady Blanche Arundell, surrenders Wardour Castle, which she had led the defense of against a siege by Parliamentarian fo

    Lady Blanche Arundell, surrenders Wardour Castle, which she had led the defense of against a siege by Parliamentarian forces [1]

  5. Essex County, Massachusetts is founded, which contains the town of Salem in which the notorious witch-trials will occur

    Essex County, Massachusetts is founded, which contains the town of Salem in which the notorious witch-trials will occur in 1692

More from the 1640s

Francesco Cavalli's opera "Giasone" premieres in Venice (the most popular opera of the 17th century)

Giasone (Jason) is an opera in three acts and a prologue with music by Francesco Cavalli and a libretto by Giacinto Andrea Cicognini.

The English Rump Parliament votes to put Charles I on trial for treason and other high crimes

The trial of Charles I took place in January 1649, marking the first time a reigning monarch was tried and executed by his own subjects.

Dutch East India Company conquers the city of Malacca, killing about 7,000 people

Dutch East India Company conquers the city of Malacca, killing about 7,000 people

Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city

Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 23, 1642?
What was originally called Harvard Colledge (around which Harvard University eventually grew) held its first Commence­ment in September 1642, when nine degrees were conferred. Today some 1700 under­grad­uate degrees, and 5000 advanced degrees from the university's various graduate and professional schools, are conferred each Commence­ment Day. As of 2024, each degree candidate attends two ceremonies: the Morning Exercises, at which degrees are conferred verbally en masse; a smaller midday ceremony (at the candidate's professional or graduate school, or undergraduate House) at which diplomas are given in hand.
Why is Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, holds its first commencement significant?
What was originally called Harvard Colledge (around which Harvard University eventually grew) held its first Commence­ment in September 1642, when nine degrees were conferred.

Explore More

September 23 in HistoryYear 1642