History of Harvard University History of Harvard University Harvard College, around which Harvard University eventually grew, was founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. For centuries, its graduates dominated Massachusetts' clerical and civil ranks and beginning in the 19th century its stature became national, then international, as a dozen graduate and professional schools were formed alongside the nucleus undergraduate College. Historically influential in national roles are the schools of medicine (1782), law (1817) and business (1908) as well as the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (1890). Since the late 19th century
Harvard University Band Man (now Grad)...but you can't tell 'em very much." In keeping with that tradition, the main Harvard fight song, "Ten Thousand Men of Harvard" features a first verse in Latin. The verse is intended as an extended Latin pun and makes little sense when translated: Illigitimum non Carborundum, Domine Salvum Fac, Illigitimum non Carborundum, Domine Salvum Fac. Gaudeamus Igitur, Veritas, non Sequitur, Illigitimum non Carborundum, Ipso Facto Uniquely among college bands, the Harvard Band holds its own reunion every five years. It is also the oldest college band reunion in the world, with the first held at the Harvard University