As the days grew crisp and short in the fall of 1884, an enterprising Harvard freshman named Frederick Plummer put aside his books long enough to fashion a small pennant of crimson silk. He stitched an olive-colored H to one side and ­attached the flag to a walking stick.

Then he took the train down to New Haven and waved the Little Red Flag while his beloved Crimson got pummeled by the Bulldogs, 52-0.