Historical Events tagged with "harvard"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Technology & Innovation

Facebook is founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin

February 4th, 2004 21 years ago

Facebook was co-founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin while they were students at Harvard University. Originally designed as a social network for Harvard students, the platform quickly expanded, gaining popularity across other Ivy League universities and eventually the public. The site allowed users to create profiles, connect with friends, and share information and photos, revolutionizing how individuals interacted online. The success of Facebook laid the groundwork for significant advancements in social media.

Continue Reading
Science & Technology

First Computer Bug Discovered in Harvard Mark II

September 9th, 1947 77 years ago

A moth caused a malfunction in Harvard Mark II's relay, marking the first documented case of a computer bug. The team at Harvard University, led by Grace Hopper, discovered the insect during routine maintenance. This incident highlighted the complexities of early computing technology and the inevitability of faults and errors in machinery.

Continue Reading
Technology & Innovation

IBM Unveils the Harvard Mark I Calculator

August 7th, 1944 80 years ago

The IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, known as the Harvard Mark I, was dedicated at Harvard University. Designed by Howard Aiken and built by IBM, this groundbreaking calculator was a significant leap in computational technology. Spanning over 55 feet, it was able to perform complex calculations automatically, laying the groundwork for future computers. The dedication ceremony, attended by various academics and engineers, highlighted the collaboration between Harvard and IBM, ushering in a new era of computing capabilities.

Continue Reading
Education & Academia

Harvard University Establishes Business School

April 8th, 1908 116 years ago

Harvard University voted to create the Harvard Business School in 1908, marking a significant development in business education. Established to meet the growing demand for advanced business training, the school aimed to prepare students for managerial roles in an evolving economy. This decision was influenced by the industrial growth in the United States, requiring a sophisticated understanding of business practices. The initial classes focused on case studies and practical applications, setting a new educational standard.

Continue Reading
Education & Academia

Establishment of Harvard Dental School

July 17th, 1867 157 years ago

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, making it the first dental school aligned with a university in the United States. The initiative arose from a growing recognition of the need for formal education and training in dentistry. This establishment marked a significant advancement in dental education, professionalizing the field and integrating it into the broader medical community. Harvard's approach aimed to elevate the standards of dentistry and ensure that practitioners were well-trained. The school would go on to play a crucial role in the evolution of dental care and education in America.

Continue Reading
Sports & Recreation

Harvard defeats Yale in inaugural Boat Race

August 3rd, 1852 172 years ago

Harvard University won the first Boat Race against Yale University, marking a significant moment in intercollegiate competition. The race took place on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut, where two crews competed for prestige and bragging rights. This event was organized by Harvard students and quickly became a celebrated tradition, laying the groundwork for future athletic competitions between American colleges.

Continue Reading
Religion & Philosophy

Emerson's Controversial Divinity School Address

July 15th, 1838 186 years ago

Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered a pivotal speech that challenged traditional Christian beliefs at Harvard Divinity School. In it, he discounted the miracles of the Bible and proclaimed Jesus as a remarkable man, but not divine. This address ignited significant outrage among the Protestant community, raising fundamental questions about religion and individual interpretation of spirituality.

Continue Reading
Education & Academia

Harvard College is Named After John Harvard

March 13th, 1639 386 years ago

Harvard College was established in 1636 and officially named in honor of clergyman John Harvard in 1639. John Harvard, an early benefactor of the institution, bequeathed half of his estate and his library of over 400 books to the college after his death. The naming reflected the significant support he provided, which helped to shape the early years of the institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The act acknowledged his contributions to the education sector and emphasized the importance of religious and scholarly pursuits.

Continue Reading
Education & Academia

Massachusetts Bay Colony Establishes Theological College

October 28th, 1636 388 years ago

In a session, the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted to establish a theological college to train clergy for their congregations and promote religious scholarship. The decision stemmed from a growing need for educated ministers who could uphold the Puritan faith and address the spiritual needs of the community. This institution would later evolve into Harvard University, named after a benefactor, John Harvard, who contributed resources to its foundation and mission. The college was envisioned as a means to ensure a well-educated ministry to support and guide the colony's moral and spiritual life.

Continue Reading