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This Week in Princeton History for June 27-July 3


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Ulysses S Grant visits the campus, women take classes for the first time, and more.

June 27, 1871—Sitting U.S. President Ulysses S Grant visits the College of New Jersey (Princeton) for the first time.

Ulysses_Grant_MC205_Box_52_Folder_39
Sketch of Ulysses S Grant by Emery Kelen, undated. Derso and Kelen Collection (MC205), Box 52, Folder 39.

June 29, 1942—For the first time ever, a class at Princeton University has female students present.

Photogrammetry_Flyer_AC109_Box421_Folder3
Flyer advertising Princeton University’s Photogrammetry course, 1942. Historical Subject Files Collection (AC109), Box 421, Folder 3.

July 1, 2001—The Department of Romance Languages splits into two, the Department of French and Italian and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

French_Italian_Spanish_Portugese_Pages from Princetonian_2001-09-21_v125_n077_0001
Graphic from the Daily Princetonian.

July 3, 1836—The “Princeton Blues” return the “big cannon” to Princeton from New Brunswick, an event that will become the origins of the Princeton-Rutgers “cannon wars.”

1910_Christie_Whiteman_Postcard_AC045_Box_4
Christie Whiteman postcard depicting Princeton University’s “big cannon,” 1910. Historical Postcard Collection (AC045), Box 4.

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

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