Harvard University

Harvard College was established in 1636 by vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was founded to ensure an educated clergy for the new commonwealth and was named after its first benefactor, John Harvard, who left his personal library and half his estate to the institution upon his death in 1638. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.

Harvard Medical School was founded in 1782. It began initially with the collaboration of four esteemed Boston physicians. The school originated at a home near Harvard Square but was demographically different from its peers providing medical education at that time. Today, it is one of the world’s preeminent medical schools, known for its research, teaching, and clinical care.

The landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. Harvard graduates, including influential lawyer Charles Hamilton Houston, played a vital role in the case's success, demonstrating Harvard's reach and impact in politics and civil rights.

In 1969, Harvard University became a site for major student protests against the Vietnam War. Students occupied University Hall, demanding a greater voice in university governance, an end to ROTC programs, and a shift in Harvard's investment policies regarding the war. The protest marked a significant moment in the University's history, reflecting nationwide campus unrest during the era.

In 1999, Radcliffe College, a premier women’s college, was fully integrated with Harvard University, resulting in the start of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The Institute is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across diverse fields, bridging research across the university. It continues Radcliffe’s legacy of fostering educational achievement and equality.

Drew Gilpin Faust was appointed as the 28th president of Harvard University on July 1, 2007, and she was the first woman to hold this position. Her leadership spanned until 2018. Faust, an American historian, emphasized expanding financial aid, increasing university access, and promoting university's diverse health and science research. Her presidency marked a pivotal moment for women in academia.

In 2018, Harvard instituted a policy that any member of a single-gender social club (such as fraternities and sororities) would not be eligible for leadership roles in official student groups or athletic teams. This decision was part of efforts to promote inclusivity and eliminate gender discrimination. It led to widespread discussion and some pushback on campus.