Yale University is one of the most iconic places in Connecticut. It’s one of just nine colleges in the United States that were chartered prior to the American Revolution. It’s the third-oldest school in the country and its Ivy League status makes it world-renowned as an institute of higher learning. It was founded way back in 1701, so obviously things have changed quite a bit throughout the years. We’ve gathered up a few then-and-now comparison photos that are a fascinating look back in history:

The very first diploma awarded by Yale College was granted to Nathaniel Chauncey in 1702.
Yale College/Wikimedia Commons
Yale's diplomas are still written in Latin today, but you can now obtain copies electronically as well as the paper version!
Yale University
The oldest part of Yale's campus is known as "Old Brick Row." It was the first planned college campus in America, and is a linear arrangement.
Amos Doolittle/Wikimedia Commons
Many of these buildings are now gone, but the remaining area of Old Campus is mostly made up of freshmen dorms.
Yale is now arranged in a much larger quadrangle shape.
Wikimedia Commons
The bulldog Handsome Dan was the first college mascot in the country. Handsome Dan I served from 1889-1897.
Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database/Wikimedia Commons
After his death in England, Handsome Dan I was stuffed and can now be viewed at the Payne Whitney Gymnasium on campus.

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Yale is now up to Handsome Dan XIX, an Olde English Bulldog bred in Maine.
Joeschmonobody/Wikimedia Commons
The Yale Law School class of 1883 was made up of all white men.
Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database/Wikimedia Commons
This photo of a reunion weekend from 2022 shows how diverse the school has become.
Yale Law School
The first African American to attend Yale was a fugitive slave named James Pennington in 1834, but he was not allowed to earn a degree. The first African American to officially attend the school was Cortlandt Van Rensselaer Creed in the 1850s.

Yale allowed women into the graduate programs from 1892, but women could not attend the undergraduate programs at Yale College until 1969.
The Yale Bulldogs football team of 1885 finished the season with a 7-1 record.
Wikimedia Commons
The sport was a lot different then - helmets were not widely used until the 1920s, so players were much less rough on the field.
Yale's 2022 team also had a winning record, of 8-2. Some things never change!
Yale University
While many things have changed over the years, Yale remains one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.
Kenneth C. Zirkel/Wikimedia Commons

If you love historical photos of Connecticut, check out these photos from the 1900s in Connecticut.

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