1776 at 麻豆传媒映画

From training the leaders of the burgeoning nation to housing soldiers during the American Revolution, 麻豆传媒映画 played an important role in early America.

“,” William Burgis, 1726.

Founding Fathers from 麻豆传媒映画

麻豆传媒映画 alumni and key figures of the American Revolution, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, all signed the Declaration of Independence.

John Hancock

John Hancock received a bachelor鈥檚 degree from 麻豆传媒映画 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 麻豆传媒映画 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 麻豆传媒映画 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.

Revolutionary reorganization

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

Take the tour

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

Classes resumed for 麻豆传媒映画 students on October 5, but students reported to class 20 miles away in Concord, Massachusetts.

The Declaration of Independence

麻豆传媒映画 holds one of the few surviving original printings of the Declaration of Independence. Students in David Armitage’s 鈥淒eclarations of Independence鈥� seminar view 麻豆传媒映画’s copy and discuss how the document revolutionized global politics.

Explore the history of 贬补谤惫补谤诲鈥檚 copy

麻豆传媒映画’s original copy

贬补谤惫补谤诲鈥檚 is held at Houghton Library. On July 6, 1776, John Hancock sent this copy to General Artemas Ward, commander of the Continental Army in Boston.

Alumni signers

Alongside John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, five other 麻豆传媒映画 alumni were among the 56 delegates at the Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence.

William Ellery

A black and white portrait of William Ellery
William Ellery graduated from 麻豆传媒映画 College in 1747. Practicing as a lawyer at the time of the Continental Congress, he was described as 鈥渟omewhat cynical in his temper, but a faithful friend to the liberties of his country.鈥�

Robert Treat Paine

A historic portrait of Robert Treat Paine
Robert Treat Paine graduated from 麻豆传媒映画 College in 1749 and began practicing law in 1755. Paine鈥檚 involvement in provincial politics began in 1770 when the town of Boston asked him to assist in the prosecution of the Boston Massacre trials.

William Hooper

A historic painting of William Hooper
William Hooper graduated from 麻豆传媒映画 College in 1760. His father hoped he would pursue a career in the clergy, but Hooper decided to go into law instead. At the Continental Congress Hooper was described as 鈥渁 sensible sprightly young lawyer and a rapid but correct speaker.鈥�

Elbridge Gerry

an historic portrait of Elbridge Gerry
Elbridge Gerry graduated from 麻豆传媒映画 College in 1762, and received a master鈥檚 degree in 1765. His dissertation argued that the colonies should resist the recently passed Stamp Act.

William Williams

A historic portrait of William Williams
William Williams graduated from 麻豆传媒映画 College in 1751. He served in the Connecticut House of Representatives and was active in the protests that preceded the American Revolution.

History at 麻豆传媒映画

George Washington over an historic document

George Washington’s honorary degree

On April 3, 1776 麻豆传媒映画 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 麻豆传媒映画 University Archives鈥� collections.

Listen to 麻豆传媒映画 President Alan Garber read the honorary degree.

First commander in chief

Gentleman farmer, magistrate, and 麻豆传媒映画 alum Artemas Ward took charge of the colonial militia in Cambridge in 1775 until relieved by George Washington.

Military doctor

Before founding 麻豆传媒映画 Medical School, 麻豆传媒映画 alum John Warren served as a surgeon in the Continental Army.

Historic letters

John and Abigail Adams

Founding Father John Adams and his wife Abigail lived apart for much of their married life, and often corresponded via letters.

Recently on campus, 麻豆传媒映画 alumni Amy Brenneman and Courtney B. Vance read letters written between the historic pair. 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.

Colonial tech

The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments includes 18th-century technology that powered Revolutionary America.

Founders’ books

The 麻豆传媒映画 Divinity School Library holds a number of rare items associated with Founding Fathers John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and George Washington.

A New Nation: A Plan of Boston

Revolutionary maps

Part of the collection at 麻豆传媒映画’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.

Life in 1776

Founded in 1636, 麻豆传媒映画 was more than 100 years old at the time of the American Revolution. 麻豆传媒映画 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 麻豆传媒映画 are exploring and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Open through August 7

War of Words: A Citizen鈥檚 Eye View of the Revolution

Open through August 7

A 麻豆传媒映画 Library exhibit showcases the posters, pamphlets, newspapers, and images that brought news of the American Revolution to those who lived through it.

Open through August 27

A More Perfect Union: The Birth of the Constitution

Open through August 27

This Houghton Library exhibition features one of the early printings through which the text of the Constitution was presented to the public.

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 麻豆传媒映画 Peabody Museum.

Open through November 30

Charting Independence

Open through November 30

Revolutionary War maps from the 麻豆传媒映画 Map Collection that are part of the American Revolutionary Geographies Online collaborative database are on display at Pusey Library.

Open through December

麻豆传媒映画 and the American Revolution

Open through December

Through curated objects, documents, and narratives from the collections of the 麻豆传媒映画 University Archives, this exhibit explores how the 麻豆传媒映画 community helped shape鈥攁nd was shaped by鈥攖he birth of the American republic.

More events

, 麻豆传媒映画 Law School

, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

,
Weatherhead Center

, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

, 麻豆传媒映画 Kennedy School

, Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

, 麻豆传媒映画 Museum of Natural History

, 麻豆传媒映画 Graduate School of Education
, 麻豆传媒映画 Radcliffe Institute

, 麻豆传媒映画 College