Campus & Community

How much do you know about Harvard?

Illustrations by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff; Harvard file photos

Sy Boles

Harvard Staff Writer

May 22, 2026

1 min read

Sure, you might have earned a diploma, but can you earn an A on this quiz?

Part of the
Commencement 2026
series

A collection of features and graduate profiles covering Harvard’s 375th Commencement.

Over its 390-year lifespan and 375 Commencements, Harvard has accumulated a lot of lore. Prove how much you know about America’s oldest university in this quiz.

Step 1 of 10

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1. What is the nickname of the John Harvard Statue in Harvard Yard?

Big Harv

The Statue of Three Lies

The Founder’s Foot

Shiny John

2. Harvard Yard has how many major gates?

8

12

21

25

3. What is the oldest building in Harvard Yard?

Massachusetts Hall

Wadsworth House

Holden Chapel

Sever Hall

4. In the 1800s, Harvard briefly adopted what school color?

Navy

Mahogany

Magenta

Copper

5. True or false: All Harvard students are technically required to pass a swim test.

True

False

6. How many degrees were conferred at Harvard College’s first Commencement in 1642?

1

9

53

430

7. Harvard’s first class Commencement was held 384 years ago, but 2026 marks only the 375th ceremony. That’s because nine Commencements were omitted. Why was there no Commencement in 1644?

An outbreak of smallpox

A freak summer snowstorm

There were no eligible graduates

8. Who was the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Harvard?

Susan B. Anthony

Georgia O’Keeffe

Helen Keller

Marie Curie

9. Who traditionally calls Commencement to order?

The president of the University

The governor of Massachusetts

The rector of Boston’s Old North Church

The Middlesex County sheriff

10. True or false: On Commencement Day, Harvard students are prohibited from wearing silk nightgowns.

True

False

Δ