#  History 

 



       ![Commencement Widener](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2024-11/26_HC2020-21_JH193760%20%281%29.jpg?itok=UeOSxZkF) 

 

 



 

 



 

## **Harvard's Historic and Enduring Academic Tradition**

Since September 1642, when President Dunster welcomed just nine degree candidates—referred to as 'senior sophists'—Harvard University has proudly hosted one of North America's largest and oldest academic ceremonies in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For nearly four centuries, this illustrious tradition continues, and today, we anticipate celebrating nearly 9,000 degree candidates from our 13 degree-granting schools in May.



 

 history\_edu 

 [### History of Harvard's Oldest Tradition

 ](/history-harvards-oldest-tradition) 

 

 workspace\_premium 

 [### Honorary Degrees

 ](/honorary-degrees) 

 

 forest 

 [### Land Acknowledgement

 ](https://hunap.harvard.edu/acknowledgement-land-and-people) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     ![grad9](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_3_4__480x640/public/2025-01/JH_HC2024-95.jpg?itok=sGN1ZdVy) 

 



 

  

 

     ![grad8](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-01/JH_HC2024-58.jpg?itok=vCs1MWNX) 

 



 

  

 

     ![Harvard University graduates on Commencement Day](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-11/hc-461_-_copy.jpg?itok=VC6PgSxm) 

 



 

  

 

 

 

 

     ![Graduates](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-01/Dental%20School%20grads.jpg?itok=w-N0hTl_) 

 



 

  

 

     ![Graduates](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-01/Graduates1.jpg?itok=FqXhIYXh) 

 



 

  

 

     ![Graduates](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_3_4__480x640/public/2025-01/College%20grads1.jpg?itok=Und_Bdtc)