Summer 2026 Special Issue: America at 250

Summer 2026 Special Issue: America at 250 | Cover Story

A Revolutionary Career

For two generations, historian Gordon Wood shaped how scholars understood the origins of the United States.

Featured Stories

Article

How to Build a Revolutionary Hero

Harvard alumnus Artemas Ward had a fairly undistinguished military career during the War of Independence. So why is there a statue of him in Washington?

Article

Liberty’s Daughters

Cornell University historian Mary Beth Norton, PhD ’69, reveals the growing role of women in revolutionary society despite the enduring limitations of the era.

newspaper clipping of Daughters of Liberty wishes

Dean's Message

This special edition of the magazine showcases the research of Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni related to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the birth of modern democracy. The issue leads off with a tribute to alumnus and Centennial medalist Gordon Wood, who passed away in early June after a 60-year career that fundamentally changed the way scholars understand the country’s origins and early history. I do hope you have an opportunity to read it.

David Salafia

Alumni Interviews

Podcast

Colloquy Podcast: Was the American Revolution a War Against or for Empire?

Historian Brian DeLay, PhD ’04, argues the Patriots were fighting not only for their independence, but also for a dominion of their own.

Video

From Peacocks to Penguins: How the Plain Suit Helped Shape American Democracy

Chloe Chapin, PhD ’23, explains how plain suits became a powerful political statement during the American Revolution.

Side-by-side portraits: on the left, a man in a vibrant pink hat and teal robes; on the right, a man in a plain black suit.

What Generosity Makes Possible

"Growing up, I never pictured myself as a researcher. It wasn’t until I had the chance to work in a lab as an undergraduate that something clicked for me. Hands-on work felt like solving small puzzles that add up to what we see every day.

I chose Harvard for the chance to access incredible resources and to learn from scientists I admire."

– Sophia, PhD candidate in Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology

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