Harvard is one of the oldest universities in the world
When studying world history in school, most teachers focus on events that took place in Europe. The 17th century is usually characterized by the rise of absolutism in the continent, of which King Louis XIV of France is the most emblematic example.
Nevertheless, in North America, momentous events were also taking place. Harvard University was founded in 1636, two years before the Sun King was born. History lessons tend to focus on particular world regions as if nothing significant happened elsewhere, but it is not so.