Harvard University

Blair Kamin is the unofficial expert on Harvard gates, and on a recent rainy-day tour he shared facts, details, and stories about some of the 25 gates in Harvard Yard. Kamin is a journalist, architecture critic, and former Nieman Fellow at Harvard, as well as the author of “Gates of Harvard Yard: The Iconic Entrances to America’s Oldest University.”

In the Adams House library, Harvard alumni Amy Brenneman AB '87, MRPL '26, and Courtney B. Vance AB '82 read letters written between John and Abigail Adams. The Adams lived apart much of their married life, and often corresponded via letters. These two letters were written around the time of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, while John was in Philadelphia and Abigail was in Massachusetts. Hear more of their letters on the Office for the Arts at Harvard YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/tl0QSWXS7Nk

John Overholt, Curator of Early Books and Manuscripts at Harvard’s Houghton Library, explores Paul Revere’s The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street, one of the most influential and provocative images of the years leading up to the American Revolution. Produced just three weeks after British soldiers shot and killed five Bostonians on March 5, 1770, the engraving helped shape how the event was understood throughout the colonies. Though best remembered for his midnight ride, Revere was also a skilled metalworker, printer, and engraver. His depiction of the Boston Massacre circulated widely and transformed a violent confrontation into a powerful political image that helped build support for the revolutionary cause. The engraving is featured in War of Words, an exhibition at Houghton Library exploring the printed materials that shaped the American Revolution. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Learn more at library.harvard.edu/exhibits/war-words.

John Overholt, Curator of Early Books and Manuscripts at Harvard’s Houghton Library, explores Paul Revere’s The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street, one of the most influential and provocative images of the years leading up to the American Revolution. Produced just three weeks after British soldiers shot and killed five Bostonians on March 5, 1770, the engraving helped shape how the event was understood throughout the colonies. Though best remembered for his midnight ride, Revere was also a skilled metalworker, printer, and engraver. His depiction of the Boston Massacre circulated widely and transformed a violent confrontation into a powerful political image that helped build support for the revolutionary cause. The engraving is featured in War of Words, an exhibition at Houghton Library exploring the printed materials that shaped the American Revolution. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Learn more at library.harvard.edu/exhibits/war-words.

Molly Taylor-Polesky, Map Librarian of the Harvard Map Collection, explores A Plan of Boston and its Environs, a Revolutionary-era map drawn in October 1775 by British lieutenant Richard Williams while he was stationed in Boston. The map captures a pivotal moment in the early American Revolution, showing a city almost completely surrounded by water, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, and transformed by military occupation. Through Williams’s labels and design choices, the map also reveals a British perspective on the conflict, distinguishing between fortifications built by “his majesty’s troops” and those “thrown up by the rebels.” The map is featured in War of Words, an exhibition at Houghton Library exploring the printed materials that shaped the American Revolution. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Learn more at library.harvard.edu/exhibits/war-words.

Molly Schwartzburg, Philip Hofer Curator of Printing and Graphic Arts at Houghton Library, explores an unusual object in Harvard's collection: a "blook," a book-shaped object made from wood of the Washington Elm. The elm stood on Cambridge Common, just steps from Harvard Yard, and is believed to be the tree under which George Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775. When the elm died in 1923, pieces were distributed across the country and around the world as symbolic remnants of that founding moment. The Washington Elm is featured in War of Words, an exhibition at Houghton Library exploring the printed materials that shaped the American Revolution. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Learn more at library.harvard.edu/exhibits/war-words.

Molly Taylor-Polesky, Map Librarian of the Harvard Map Collection, explores A Plan of Boston and its Environs, a Revolutionary-era map drawn in October 1775 by British lieutenant Richard Williams while he was stationed in Boston. The map captures a pivotal moment in the early American Revolution, showing a city almost completely surrounded by water, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, and transformed by military occupation. Through Williams’s labels and design choices, the map also reveals a British perspective on the conflict, distinguishing between fortifications built by “his majesty’s troops” and those “thrown up by the rebels.” The map is featured in War of Words, an exhibition at Houghton Library exploring the printed materials that shaped the American Revolution. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Learn more at library.harvard.edu/exhibits/war-words.

Tune in to the live stream of Harvard Alumni Day on June 5, 2026, to celebrate Harvard's vibrant, global alumni community. Visit alumni.harvard.edu/alumni-day for more information.

NASA astronaut, Harvard-trained physician, and decorated Navy SEAL Jonny Kim delivers the keynote address at the annual Harvard Alumni Day celebration on June 5, 2026.

Lael Ayala ’26 has spent her time at Harvard balancing a busy schedule. A mechanical engineering concentrator, she is also an outfielder on the varsity softball team and a member of the Army ROTC. For her thesis project, she combined her love of softball and robotics to build a softball-collecting autonomous robot named "Softbot." Originally from just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Ayala has always been fascinated with how things work. She's also been a gifted athlete from a young age, eventually deciding to pursue softball at the Division I level. Ayala chose to attend Harvard in order to be able to pursue all her interests at once and to be part of a team that would support her growth.

Harvard President Alan M. Garber delivers remarks during Harvard Alumni Day on June 5, 2026.

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark addressed the 19 graduating seniors who were commissioned as second lieutenants and ensigns into the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Space Force on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 during Harvard’s 2026 ROTC Joint Commissioning Ceremony.

Graduate Andrew O’Donohue delivers the Graduate English Address, “Losing Our Education,” at Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 28th, 2026.

Tune in to Harvard Commencement for the Class of 2026 on Thursday, May 28, 2026, featuring an address by Conan O'Brien. Rolling on the livestream (such as recording the livestream from our feed), streaming, or using the full livestream is not permitted. You are permitted to pull clips/portions from the livestream after the fact. Please credit Harvard University for all uses.

A joyful crowd gathered to celebrate Harvard’s 375th Commencement on May 28, 2026. Comedian, writer, television host, and podcaster Conan O’Brien ’85 gave the Commencement address.

Graduate Noah Eckstein delivers the Senior English Address, “The Punchline,” at Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 28th, 2026.

Graduate Kiesse Nanor delivers the Latin Salutatory, "Harvardianus Esse (To Be a Harvardian),” at Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 28th, 2026. ENGLISH TRANSLATION: President Garber, most eminent deans, wisest professors, esteemed alumni and alumnae, and most cherished friends and family: hail. Thank you for being on this campus with us on this day of celebration. I stand before you all on this platform to deliver a speech which, though ancient, nevertheless resounds with the weighty sound of golden memory. You might ask why, on this day, I use such an ancient language. Indeed, I know that most of you do not understand me, even though I see you all nodding your heads while you read the interpretation in a barbarous language, English. But my answer is simple: however ancient this language is, just like this university, nevertheless it is not dead. For nearly four centuries we students, professors, and dearest companions have gathered in this Yard, this grove, to rejoice in our triumphs, reflect on our predecessors, and at last, to make our start upon Harvard’s eternal path. Therefore, I come today, in the shadow of much more skilled orators, asking one question: What does it mean to be a Harvardian? Many have debated this question throughout our history, even feigning that they themselves know the true nature of Harvard. They say that Harvard is a kind of factory in which students are changed into industrious workers. Still others, especially in a certain city called “New Haven,” whisper that Harvard is a diabolical force, the cause of constant sorrow, adding new waves of tears each year. I say nothing of the past four years, alas! Perhaps we ought to listen to one of our own: John F. Kennedy said, “To be a Harvard man is an enviable distinction.” So well-spoken! Even now, a cry comes up from all sides, asking, “What does it mean to be a Harvardian, and why is this group, these people, all these ‘Harvard things’ worthy of such great honor?” I, at any rate, believe that the answer is found in this very fellowship: Harvard is not in stones or books, but within us. The responsibility of naming it belongs to us, not them. I have seen us undertaking this task in the laughter of my roommates, in the labored discussions of seminars, although I confess, dearest parents, cover your ears, that I have fallen asleep in them once or twice, sorry, and I see it today in your faces. The Harvard spirit, cultivated by our friends and instructors in the embrace of this, our alma mater, grows with us as we go. I have seen this spirit in the simplest joys: the reverent silence of Widener Library, the return of a long-awaited spring as the sun warms the icy paths at the end of a harsh Cambridge winter, the great shouts on Housing Day. Certainly, there is no shout louder than those from Leverett, hooray! In truth, to be a Harvardian is to be one of us; we together, different as we may be, are the spirit of this university: from this comes the title of Harvardian, from this comes our honor! I know that I will sense that spirit again in five, ten, twenty, even fifty years when we gather again in this grove, with weaker bodies, but still with a unanimous heart. Now, therefore, I ask you, who are all about to do incredible things, to hold fast to these truths. May we remember the experiences, happy and sad, that we have had here, and above all, our friendships, so that when we gather again the Harvard spirit might gain new life and we ourselves once again might be made young. Until that time, my dearest companions, you who have come here and are about to leave here on different roads in different directions, goodbye and farewell.

Class Day celebrates the graduating Harvard College Class of 2026. Rolling on the livestream (such as recording the livestream from our feed), streaming, or using the full livestream is not permitted. You are permitted to pull clips/portions from the livestream after the fact. Please credit Harvard University for all uses.

Ronny Chieng, an Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, and correspondent for The Daily Show, delivers remarks to the Harvard Class of 2026 during the Harvard College Class Day on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.

A joyful crowd gathered to celebrate Harvard’s 375th Commencement on May 28, 2026. Comedian, writer, television host, and podcaster Conan O’Brien ’85 gave the Commencement address.

Conan O’Brien ’85 delivers the commencement address during the 375th Commencement Exercises at Harvard University on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Harvard President Alan Garber delivers the official welcome during the 375th Commencement Exercises at Harvard University on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Watch the livestream of graduating Harvard cadets and midshipmen being commissioned into the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

We asked members of the Class of 2026 to send their congratulations and advice to their fellow graduating students.

We asked members of the Class of 2026 to send their congratulations and advice to their fellow graduating students.

Blake Lusty spent more than a decade in the U.S. Navy, completing four combat deployments across 25 seas and four oceans and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. What his military record doesn’t capture is that he did it all while navigating repeated cancer diagnoses and major health setbacks. Diagnosed with late-stage cancer at 20 years old and given 12 months to live, Blake refused to let his diagnosis define his story. The cancer returned again years later, just as he had earned his dream assignment at sea. He later underwent open heart surgery and was forced to rethink what came next. In 2024, he enrolled at Harvard Business School to begin a new chapter. Here, he reflects on service, resilience, family, and building a new chapter after the Navy.

Lael Ayala has spent her time at Harvard balancing a busy schedule. A mechanical engineering concentrator, she is also an outfielder on the varsity softball team and a member of the Army ROTC. For her thesis project, she combined her love of softball and robotics to build a softball-collecting autonomous robot named "Softbot." Originally from just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Ayala has always been fascinated with how things work. She's also been a gifted athlete from a young age, eventually deciding to pursue softball at the Division I level. Ayala chose to attend Harvard in order to be able to pursue all her interests at once and to be part of a team that would support her growth.

Kelly Rene Bullard, Assistant Curator of Printing & Graphic Arts at Harvard's Houghton Library, tells the story of how one of Harvard's early curators helped catch a literary forger. Flora Livingston was the curator for the Harry Elkins Widener Room at Harvard University from the mid-1920s to the mid-1940s. She was a well-respected librarian and bibliographer who helped shape Harvard's libraries. Her friendship with John Carter, a book detective and fellow researcher, led to her involvement in an investigation into Thomas J. Wise, a scholar and suspected forger. John Carter and his partner Graham Pollard suspected that Wise was forging literary publications using the names of famous authors. One of the texts they suspected was fake was the 1986 "Sonnets" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Unable to get their hands on a copy in England, they wrote to Flora Livingston in the United States to see if she would be willing to investigate the copy of the "Sonnets" in the Widener collection.

We all make mistakes. Sometimes we’re able to brush off these experiences, but other times we’re left with regrets. We regret that thing we said, how we handled that situation, or the choice we made. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas, palliative care specialist Susan Block, neuroscientist Liz Phelps, and behavioral scientist Leslie John discuss how to make peace with the actions – or inactions – that still haunt us.

Baby goats joined the fun at yoga on the Harvard Medical School's quad.