In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, juniors take up roller skating when cars are banned, a fire forces the school to start over almost from scratch, and more.

March 2, 1927—In order to protest the new “car rule,” which bans student use of automobiles on campus, Princeton juniors take to roller skating. The New York Times reports on their activities, noting the posters the skaters pinned to their shirts, with various comic slogans, including “And Mama said I could.” Five of the skaters will be photographed for the March 13, 1927 issue of the New York Herald Tribune. Although their efforts capture national attention, ultimately the car rule will remain in effect for decades.

March 4, 1809—James Madison, “Father of the Constitution” and Princeton Class of 1771, is inaugurated as the fourth president of the United States.

March 6, 1802—An early afternoon fire guts Nassau Hall, destroying all but 100 of the library’s 3,000 books and leaving nothing standing but the four exterior walls. Classes will resume one month later, at the president’s home.

March 7, 1882—The first issue of the Princeton Tiger appears.

For last week’s installment in this series, click here.

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