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They Call It a Legend, But It's a Good Thing He Didn't Hold a Grudge

It was widely expected by both faculty and students that Daniel Webster would receive the valedictory upon graduating from Dartmouth in 1801. The honor, however, was given to someone now forgotten to history, and Webster was merely presented with a simple diploma. As the story goes, a disgusted Webster gathered a couple of his friends at the end of Commencement and went to the Green behind the College, where he tore up his document and scattered it to the wind, exclaiming, "My industry may make me great, but this miserable parchment can not!" With that, he mounted his horse and headed for home.