Today in History: Cornell University

Today in History: Cornell University

Today in History–October 7–the Library of Congress features Cornell University, which welcomed its first students on this day in 1868.  Funded as a result of the Morrill Act of 1862, Cornell wasted little time in racking up a number of firsts: first university degree in veterinary medicine, first doctorates in electrical  and industrial engineering, first four-year schools of hotel administration and labor…

Today in History: Fisk University

Today in History: Fisk University

Today in History–January 9–the Library of Congress features the Fisk School (later known as Fisk University), which held its first classes on this day in 1866. Fisk is one of several historically black colleges–others include Atlanta University, Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), and Howard University. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources…

Today in History: Yale University

Today in History: Yale University

Today in History–October 9–the Library of Congress features Yale University, which received a charter from the Connecticut colonial legislature (as the Collegiate School in Saybrook) on this day in 1701. The school moved to New Haven in 1716, and was renamed Yale College in 1718 in honor of Elihu Yale, a merchant and early benefactor. Find out more about this prestigious university by visiting the Today in History section,…

Today in History: Patrick Francis Healy & Georgetown University

Today in History: Patrick Francis Healy & Georgetown University

Today in History–July 31–the Library of Congress features Georgetown University, which inaugurated Patrick Francis Healy as President on this day in 1874. Healy was the son of an Irish-immigrant planter and a mulatto slave and is credited with transforming Georgetown from a small school into a modern university. Find out more about Healy and the university founded by John Carroll in…

Today in History: Dartmouth College

Today in History: Dartmouth College

Today in History–December 13–the Library of Congress features Dartmouth College, which obtained a royal charter on this day in 1769. One of the oldest colleges in the United States, this New Hampshire institution began humbly but is now considered one of the country’s top universities. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links to find more Dartmouth…

Today in History: Harvard University

Today in History: Harvard University

Today in History–September 14–the Library of Congress features Harvard University, named in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard, who died on this day in 1638. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to this venerable institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard images Harvard sheet music Harvard…