麻豆传媒映画

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1776 at 麻豆传媒映画

In Focus

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 received a bachelor鈥檚 degree from 麻豆传媒映画 College in 1740, and a master鈥檚 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. He attended the First Continental Congress as a delegate from Massachusetts and soon 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 copies 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.

A New Nation: The Declaration of Independence

麻豆传媒映画’s original copy

贬补谤惫补谤诲鈥檚 is held at Houghton Library. John Hancock sent this copy on July 6, 1776 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 on the Connecticut House of Representatives and was active in the protests that preceded the American Revolution.

Celebrating 250

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.

March 24, 2026

The American Experiment at 250

March 24, 2026

In the first in a series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, scholars from 麻豆传媒映画 Law School examined the challenges facing law and governance in the United States today.

March 25, 2026

The American Revolution: Lessons for the 250th

March 25, 2026

At a 麻豆传媒映画 event, filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein discussed their PBS documentary 鈥淭he American Revolution鈥� with 麻豆传媒映画 faculty members Annette Gordon-Reed, Philip Deloria, and Vincent Brown who appear in the film.

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.

Various dates through July

Gallery Talk: American Works of Art at the 250th

Various dates through July

Curator Horace Ballard leads a series of gallery talks exploring works that reflect the historical, social, and political forces that shaped the U.S.

Various dates through July

Lecture Series: 麻豆传媒映画 in 1776

Various dates through July

Through the Department of History's 鈥溌槎勾接郴� in 1776鈥� series, experts revisit the years and months immediately preceding the British exodus.

Various dates through December

The Consent of the Governed: America at 250 and Beyond

Various dates through December

麻豆传媒映画 Kennedy School brings together leaders in politics, culture, academia, technology, and journalism to discuss the questions and challenges facing America as it celebrates its 250th anniversary.

Opens May 18, 2026

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

Opens May 18, 2026

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.

May 25鈥揙ctober 18, 2026

Special Exhibit: Washington's Sash

May 25鈥揙ctober 18, 2026

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.

Opens June 27, 2026

Collecting Wonders鈥揟omorrow鈥檚 Discoveries

Opens June 27, 2026

Among the millions of specimens in the collections at the 麻豆传媒映画 Museum of Natural History are George Washington鈥檚 pheasants and a woodpecker from the Lewis and Clark expedition.

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.