<P> The issue is further confused by the fact that at time of founding of many of the institutions in question, the United States didn't exist as a sovereign nation . Moreover, questions of institutional continuity sometimes make it difficult to determine the true "age" of any institution . </P> <P> Several universities claim to be the first university in the United States: </P> <Ul> <Li> Harvard University, founded in 1636, claims itself to be (v.i.) "the oldest institution of higher education in the United States". The claim of being "the first university" has been made on its behalf by others . An early official mention of Harvard as "the University" is found in the Massachusetts Constitution, first submitted on October 28, 1779 by James Bowdoin, Samuel Adams, and John Adams . </Li> <Li> The University of Pennsylvania considers itself to be America's first university, a title it claims on its website and in other published materials . The university has published a book about being the first university in America, and its website contains numerous instances of the phrase "America's First University". </Li> <Li> The College of William and Mary's website states, "The College of William and Mary was the first college to become a university (1779)." </Li> </Ul> <Li> Harvard University, founded in 1636, claims itself to be (v.i.) "the oldest institution of higher education in the United States". The claim of being "the first university" has been made on its behalf by others . An early official mention of Harvard as "the University" is found in the Massachusetts Constitution, first submitted on October 28, 1779 by James Bowdoin, Samuel Adams, and John Adams . </Li>

When was the first school in pennsylvania begun