August 3, 1852 – It was the first American intercollegiate sporting event that had ever taken place. The Harvard heavyweight rowing crew competed against their rivals Yale on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. Harvard triumphed by 2 lengths in over 2 miles over the Eli rowing group.
This started the competitive athletic rivalry between the two Eastern Universities. Most famously the football rivalry between the schools dates back to 1875 and is the second-oldest rivalry in college football, but as we see these two were rivals long before that.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Ken Patera – The Great American Weightlifter and Professional Wrestler
If you’re a fan of professional wrestling or weightlifting, you’re probably familiar with the

Guy Chamberlin: The Mysterious Disappearance of the NFL’s Winningest Coach
When his coaching career ended almost 95 years ago, he was so successful that
Willie O’Ree Was 1st – Who Was The NHL’s 2nd Black Player?
We all know that Willie O’Ree was the first black player in the National

Gene Washington: Through the Banks of the Red Cedar
In this episode, I talk to Maya Washington about her book and documentary –

The Miracle On Ice (America’s Version of David Vs. Goliath – From The 1980 Olympics)
America’s first President, George Washington, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 22,

The Playoff Runs of the 1972 Cleveland Browns and 1978 Houston Oilers
At this time of the year, the NFL playoffs are on the minds of
The Adventures, Calamities, and Hijinks of the Stanley Cup
Of all the championship trophies in North American sport, none has the beauty and

A Short History of March Madness (NCAAB Tournament)
The National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball (NCAAB) tournament, known as March Madness, has a