Excellent article but one error- Harvard STOPPED awarding college diplomas in Latin in 1963. I know this because a) I was a Classics major at Harvard, and b) my Class (1963) was the first NOT to get Latin diplomas. Interestingly enough the decision was announced in early Spring, traditionally then the prototypical time for student unrest and the result was the infamous "LATIN DIPLOMA RIOTS" as the press called it with hundreds of undergrads mobbing Harvard Square, many, like this writer, clad in sandals and togas- well actually bedsheets. All was in fun until by sheer coincidence a National Guard artillery unit coming back from training appeared in the Square. This led to cries that the Cambridge Police had actually called up the National Guard "to thump those Harvard punks." Things rapidly got out of hand and tear gas was used rather indiscriminately and this not only ended my fun night but totally quelled all unrest.
Excellent article but one error- Harvard STOPPED awarding college diplomas in Latin in 1963. I know this because a) I was a Classics major at Harvard, and b) my Class (1963) was the first NOT to get Latin diplomas. Interestingly enough the decision was announced in early Spring, traditionally then the prototypical time for student unrest and the result was the infamous "LATIN DIPLOMA RIOTS" as the press called it with hundreds of undergrads mobbing Harvard Square, many, like this writer, clad in sandals and togas- well actually bedsheets. All was in fun until by sheer coincidence a National Guard artillery unit coming back from training appeared in the Square. This led to cries that the Cambridge Police had actually called up the National Guard "to thump those Harvard punks." Things rapidly got out of hand and tear gas was used rather indiscriminately and this not only ended my fun night but totally quelled all unrest.
Great story, John, thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness. That's an incredible story. Thank you for the correction. I'm now aware of the "diploma riots."