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This Week in Princeton History for September 11-17


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, books move to Firestone Library, the academic calendar shifts to make room for reading week, and more.

September 11, 1948—The transfer of 800,000 books from East Pyne Hall to Firestone Library, a process that has taken a total of 10 weeks, successfully finishes today.

Students move books from Chancellor Green to Firestone Library, 1948. Historical Photograph Collection, Campus Life Series (AC112), Box MP04, Image No. 59.

September 13, 2003—Princeton dedicates a memorial garden for alumni who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Photo from Daily Princetonian.

September 14, 1964—Thomas R. Reid III ’66 appears on the game show To Tell the Truth with the story of how he and his friends created a fake student who was admitted to Princeton University. (For more on the fictitious Joseph David Oznot ’68, see our previous blog on “Imaginary Princetonians”.)

September 16, 1939—Princeton University opens today, a full 9 days earlier than under the previous schedule, to make room for a “reading week” prior to the semester’s final exams and “aid in forming maturity of judgment.”

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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