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This Week in Princeton History for June 13-19


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the campus newspaper gets its start, a senior carries the Olympic torch, and more.

June 13, 1908—The first-ever session of Princeton Summer Camp begins with 17 boys from Philadelphia. In later years, the camp will become the Princeton-Blairstown Center.

Princeton_Summer_Campers_1916_AC135_Box_11_Folder_13
Princeton Summer Campers at the shore, 1916. Student Christian Association Records (AC125), Box 11, Folder 13.

June 14, 1876—Students issue the first copies of the Princetonian. In 1892, it will begin publishing as the Daily Princetonian.

Daily_Princetonian_prospectus_1876_AC285_Box_2
Prospectus for the Princetonian, April 1876. (Click to enlarge.) Daily Princetonian General Records (AC285), Box 2.

June 17, 1947—Six days of bicentennial celebrations of Princeton University’s founding end with a convocation speech by sitting U.S. President Harry Truman. The convocation includes the largest academic procession in Princeton’s history.

Bicentennial_Convocation_ticket_1947_AC148_Box_10_Folder_22
Ticket to the concluding convocation of the Princeton University Bicentennial, June 17, 1947. Bicentennial Celebration Records (AC148), Box 10, Folder 22.

June 18, 1996—Scott Anderson ’96 carries the Olympic flame from Princeton to Lawrenceville on its journey to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Scott Anderson from Princetonian_1996-02-15_v120_n009_0001
Scott Anderson ’96. Photo from the Daily Princetonian.

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

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.


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