On This Day

Harvard University, Cambridge, founded by a vote of the Massachusetts General Court

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. Convention of Goa signed between Portugal and England, ending their ongoing conflict in Asia and opening Portuguese por

    Convention of Goa signed between Portugal and England, ending their ongoing conflict in Asia and opening Portuguese ports, including China, to English trade [1]

  2. Playwright William Davenant's court masque "The Temple of Love" is performed at Whitehall featuring Queen Henrietta Mari

    Playwright William Davenant's court masque "The Temple of Love" is performed at Whitehall featuring Queen Henrietta Maria

  3. Oldest US public institution, Boston Latin School is founded

    The Boston Latin School is a magnet Latin grammar state school in Boston, Massachusetts.

  4. Virginia Governor John Harvey accused of treason and removed from office

    Virginia Governor John Harvey accused of treason and removed from office

  5. France's First Minister, Cardinal Richelieu declares war on Spain (Franco-Spanish War 1635–59)

    France's First Minister, Cardinal Richelieu declares war on Spain (Franco-Spanish War 1635–59)

Events After

  1. Mughal Prince and future Emperor Aurangzeb (18) marries his first wife and chief consort Persian princess Dilras Banu Be

    Mughal Prince and future Emperor Aurangzeb (18) marries his first wife and chief consort Persian princess Dilras Banu Begum (15) at Agra, India

  2. Dutch governor Johan Mauritius lands in Pernambuco, Brazil

    Dutch governor Johan Mauritius lands in Pernambuco, Brazil

  3. Zorilla's "El más Impropio Verdugo Para Las" premieres in Madrid

    Zorilla's "El más Impropio Verdugo Para Las" premieres in Madrid

  4. Ferdinand III succeeds Ferdinand II as Holy Roman Emperor

    Ferdinand II (9 July 1578 – 15 February 1637) was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia, Hungary, and Croatia from 1619 until his death in 1637.

  5. Cardinal Richelieu of France reputedly creates the table knife

    Cardinal Richelieu of France reputedly creates the table knife

More from the 1630s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 28, 1636?
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 Harvard University, Cambridge, founded by a vote of the Massachusetts General... 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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