News

Jun 10, 2026

News

In April of 1776, the Committee on Safety ordered the King’s College governors (or trustees) to close the College in six days so the building could be used as a hospital. Meet the Class of 1776, who instead completed courses from a home on Wall Street.

Jun 1, 2026

In the media, Video

Columbia University's Revolutionary War history told in a diploma: University archivist Jocelyn Wilk shares a recent acquisition in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library - a 1775 diploma from King's College, the predecessor to Columbia.

Jun 1, 2026

In the media

As the United States marks its semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, Columbia News reflects on the story of a University that began before the nation itself. Discover archival treasures in the Libraries that help readers explore the past through rare documents and collections.

May 27, 2026

News

Days after the Regents of the former King's College decreed that the school would be known as Columbia College, the committee made its first faculty appointment: a professor of the French language. University archivists address why a French instructor was the very first professor at Columbia.

May 26, 2026

In the media

What 1976 reveals about 1776 (and 2026): The American Bicentennial at Columbia, revisited. Columbia News reports on a new exhibition in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library that explores how the University marked the United States’ 200th birthday in 1976.

May 12, 2026

News

The once-disputed location of the 1776 Battle of Harlem Heights, a "much-needed morale boost" for the Continental Army in the American Revolution, was confirmed to have taken place in present-day Morningside Heights through the meticulous work of Columbia College alum Lincoln Diamant, 1943CC.

Apr 28, 2026

News

Did you know that the original engraving of the King's College seal, the predecessor to Columbia University, was lost for over 120 years? The Libraries recounts the history of the seal, which was believed to be lost until the early 20th century and is now held by the University Archives.

Apr 25, 2026

In the media

How well do you know the history of Columbia Commencement? From graduation tchotchkes to special speakers, Columbia News consults the Libraries' University Archives to test readers' knowledge of one of Columbia's most cherished traditions.

Apr 16, 2026

In the media

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) "presents 250 for the 250th, an online repository that tells the story of our country in documents," including a 1776 register of admissions from the University Archives that "explains why there were no admissions at King’s College for the year 1776."

Apr 14, 2026

News

King’s College, the colonial predecessor to Columbia, educated many men who helped forge the new nation during the American Revolution, but graduates of the College were also lost during the conflict, including the first fallen alumnus, Harman Rutgers.

Mar 31, 2026

News

As Columbia nears its annual Commencement ceremonies in May, University archivists reflect on the ceremony 100 years ago when, in 1926, the University first celebrated Commencement as "an out of doors exercise," before which it was held indoors.

Mar 18, 2026

News

The University Archives has recently processed more than 1,400 bibliographical files as part of an addition to the Office of Public Affairs records, including 1950s press coverage of "Chief Cyclotron Officer" Miriam Levin.

Mar 16, 2026

In the media

To mark 250 years of American independence, Columbia News brings together the many ways in which the University engages with this national legacy, including archival treasures in the Libraries that explore the past through rare documents and collections.

News Archive

Libraries News for years earlier than 2016 is available here:

News

King’s College Class of 1776

Columbia University's Revolutionary War History Told in a Diploma | Columbia Close-Up

The U.S. Semiquincentennial and Columbia University

1784: Columbia College en Français?

What 1976 Reveals About 1776 (and 2026): The American Bicentennial at Columbia, Revisited

1776: Battle of Harlem Heights

Lost and Found: The King’s College Seal

How Well Do You Know the History of Columbia’s Commencement?

SAA 250 for the 250th: 1776 Register of Admissions | University Archives

1776: First Fallen Alumnus

Commencement: An Out of Doors Exercise

Now Available | OPA Biographical Files

The U.S. Semiquincentennial and Columbia University

News Archive

News

Subscribe to the Libraries' Monthly Newsletter.

King’s College Class of 1776

Columbia University's Revolutionary War History Told in a Diploma | Columbia Close-Up

The U.S. Semiquincentennial and Columbia University

1784: Columbia College en Français?

What 1976 Reveals About 1776 (and 2026): The American Bicentennial at Columbia, Revisited

1776: Battle of Harlem Heights

Lost and Found: The King’s College Seal

How Well Do You Know the History of Columbia’s Commencement?

SAA 250 for the 250th: 1776 Register of Admissions | University Archives

1776: First Fallen Alumnus

Commencement: An Out of Doors Exercise

Now Available | OPA Biographical Files

The U.S. Semiquincentennial and Columbia University

News Archive