Today is National Higher Education Day!

June 6 is National Higher Education Day! 📚👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓👨‍🎓🏛

Higher education (in particular, that of American politics and history) is near and dear to the Jack Miller Center. We are a nationwide network of scholars and teachers advancing the core texts and ideas of the American political tradition.

Did you know? The oldest (and first) institution of higher learning in the United States was Harvard College (now Harvard University) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school dates back to 1636 (!) and, reflecting its Puritan origins, originally had a strong focus on theology. All incoming students were required to be fluent in Latin.

Prior to 1773, class order at Harvard was determined by one’s standing in society (not merit). As a result, future president John Adams graduated 14th in his class of 24!

A young woman reading, Michael Ancher, 1885

-Written by Anna Zemaitaitis, Communications and Design Officer