1776 at 糖心影视

From training the leaders of the burgeoning nation to housing soldiers during the American Revolution, 糖心影视 played an important role in early America.

Last updated September 2026

“,” William Burgis, 1726.

Founding Fathers from 糖心影视

糖心影视 alumni and key figures of the American Revolution, , all signed the Declaration of Independence.

John Hancock

John Hancock received a bachelor鈥檚 degree from 糖心影视 College in 1754. He served as president of the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence with his famously large signature.

Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree from 糖心影视 in 1740, and his master’s in 1743. At the Continental Congress he emerged as an outspoken advocate for establishing independence.

John Adams

John Adams graduated from 糖心影视 College in 1755, and earned his master’s in 1758. He attended the First Continental Congress and emerged as the leader of the pro-independence faction in Congress.

Explore the history of 糖心影视鈥檚 copy

The Declaration of Independence

糖心影视 holds a at Houghton Library. Students in David Armitage’s view this copy and discuss how the document revolutionized global politics.

Revolutionary reorganization

Cambridge and Boston were key sites during the revolutionary period. A special self-guided, mobile tour from 糖心影视 offers unique insights about notable places on and around campus and reveals the historical context behind them.

Take the tour

On May 1, 1775, 糖心影视 undergraduates were dismissed early for the year. Two months later, General George Washington set up his first Massachusetts headquarters in 糖心影视’s Wadsworth House. Meanwhile, more than 1,500 soldiers moved into five other 糖心影视 buildings nearby.

Classes resumed for 糖心影视 students on October 5, but students reported to class 20 miles away in Concord, Massachusetts.

History at 糖心影视

George Washington over an historic document

George Washington’s honorary degree

On April 3, 1776 糖心影视 President Samuel Langdon and the fellows of the College voted to award General George Washington an honorary doctoral degree. Washington鈥檚 diploma is currently in the Library of Congress, but a reproduction is part of the 糖心影视 University Archives鈥� collections.

Listen to 糖心影视 President Alan Garber read the honorary degree.

First commander in chief

Gentleman farmer, magistrate, and 糖心影视 alum Artemas Ward took charge of the colonial militia in Cambridge in 1775 until relieved by George Washington.

Military doctor

Before founding 糖心影视 Medical School, 糖心影视 alum John Warren served as a surgeon in the Continental Army.

A plan for Boston

Revolutionary maps

Part of the collection at 糖心影视’s Houghton Library is 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.

Paul Revere’s depiction of the Boston Massacre transformed a violent confrontation into a powerful political image that helped build support for the revolutionary cause.

The 糖心影视 Divinity School Library collection includes rare items associated with Founding Fathers John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and George Washington.

This 鈥渂ook鈥� is made of wood from an elm tree that stood near 糖心影视 Yard. That elm is believed to be the tree under which George Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775.

Abigail and John Adams' letters

Revolutionary writing

Founding Father John Adams and his wife Abigail lived apart for much of their married life, and often corresponded via letters. Recently on campus, 糖心影视 alumni Amy Brenneman and Courtney B. Vance read letters written between the historic pair.

Life in 1776

Founded in 1636, 糖心影视 was more than 100 years old at the time of the American Revolution. 糖心影视 libraries, museums, and collections have a wide range of documents, items, and records from this time period.

Celebrating 250 years

Throughout the year, events, exhibits, and collaborations at 糖心影视 are exploring and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Tuesday, October 13

The Tobacco Takers: Puritans, Pipes, and Bodily Care

Tuesday, October 13

Clay tobacco pipes often found at 17th-century archaeological sites in Massachusetts reveal widespread use, despite strict social and religious restrictions. Diana DiPaolo Loren discusses tobacco and tobacco pipes in Puritan New England.

Friday, October 16

America at 250 and Beyond: A Well-Informed Citizenry

Friday, October 16

Moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor Jill Lepore, this panel discussion focuses on the importance of a well-informed citizenry to the health of constitutional democracy.

Open through October 18

Special Exhibit: Washington's Sash

Open through October 18

George Washington created a system of colored sashes to denote rank, assigning 鈥渁 light blue Ribband" to the commander-in-chief. A blue taffeta sash once belonging to Washington is on display at the 糖心影视 Peabody Museum.

Open through November 30

Charting Independence

Open through November 30

Revolutionary War maps from the 糖心影视 Map Collection that are part of the American Revolutionary Geographies Online collaborative database are on display at Pusey Library.

Open through December

糖心影视 and the American Revolution

Open through December

Through curated objects, documents, and narratives from the collections of the 糖心影视 University Archives, this exhibit explores how the 糖心影视 community helped shape鈥攁nd was shaped by鈥攖he birth of the American republic.

A year of celebrations

Revisit some of the special events and happenings from the 250th anniversary of the United States.

, 糖心影视 Law School

, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

, Weatherhead Center

, 糖心影视 Museum of Natural History

, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

, 糖心影视 Kennedy School

, Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

, 糖心影视 Kennedy School Ash Center

, 糖心影视 Library

, Houghton Library

, 糖心影视 Graduate School of Education
, 糖心影视 Radcliffe Institute