In 1979, I was deep into my doctoral dissertation, writing about the cultural roots of social and political movements in early 1900s Germany. While history has always felt alive to me, witnessing key events certainly heightens the experience. Merely being a student at Harvard during the ‘seventies often felt like walking with some kind of greatness.

The Harvard heritage hovers above the head, in front of the eyes, around every corner. With many generations of world-renowned scholars, scientific geniuses and wunderkind students popping up all over the place, you just feel swept up in important doings.

Kennedys were much a part of the Harvard experience. There were always some around. While I did not teach any of the Kennedy children myself, my fellow history grad students had one or two of them in classes, graded their papers, and commented on their behavior.

More than once, in these days before ATMs, I found myself standing in the same teller line at the bank with the unpretentious young Caroline. The Kennedy presence afforded a certain comfort and inspiration even if all wasn’t right with the world.

On November 7, 1979, the Kennedy fire took a big leap as Ted opened his challenge to Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination. When we heard that he was slated to make the announcement at Faneuil Hall, my husband and I headed into Boston to be present for the event.

As Kennedy encounters go, this one was not quite as exciting as my first – seeing JFK pass within 3-4 feet of my small self during a campaign stop in my town on the eve of the 1960 election!

Still, it was thrilling to witness the passion and energy of Ted Kennedy years later at Faneuil Hall, the same spot where George Washington had celebrated the first birthday of the United States. Built in 1742 as a gift to Boston from businessman Peter Faneuil, the building provided the backdrop for the emerging nation’s distinguished orators since colonial times.

While the building and the marketplace endured fires and other misfortunes over time, Faneuil Hall remained beloved of Bostonians, was restored with great fanfare during the 1970s. It never lost its reputation as the “cradle of liberty” – despite the predominance of shops.

I recall Ted’s soaring voice, impassioned gestures and distinctive laugh – as well as the tone of total commitment and relish for the fight that his words carried on that day. In 1980, Ted Kennedy had to cede the nomination to Carter, and now he’s had to cede to the inevitability of leaving the earthly platform.

I hope that his successor will carry forward the spirit of his parting words at the 1980 Democratic convention, and continue the fight for universal health care and other causes: “For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concerns, the work goes on and the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.”