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This Week in Princeton History for September 4-10


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a tropical storm batters the campus, a mountain is named after a professor, and more.

September 4, 2001—Anthony Romero ’87 becomes the American Civil Liberties Union’s first Latino and first openly gay executive director.

Anthony Romero ’87, ca. 2001. Photo from Daily Princetonian.

September 5, 1799—College of New Jersey (Princeton) president Samuel Smith writes to parents of prospective students, “Horses and barbers are utterly unnecessary to students during the sessions of the college,” but warns, “many young men, aiming too much at ostentation in their appearance, are apt to incur heavy and unnecessary debts for clothing, barbers, and horses.”

September 6, 1979—Tropical Storm David hits Princeton, causing a record-setting $235,000 in damages.

A fallen tree on Nassau Street in Princeton following Tropical Storm David, September 1979. Princeton Alumni Weekly Photograph Collection (AC126), Box 37.

September 7, 1881—Fred Wales names Mount Young after Princeton astronomer Charles A. Young.

“Know all men! that I hereby on the 7th day of September 1881 do name this Mountain ‘Young’ in honor of Prof. Charles Young now of Princeton…” Historical Photograph Collection, Individuals Series (AC067), Box FAC108.

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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