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This Week in Princeton History for November 5-11


In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, college football gets its start, town and gown celebrate the end of World War I, and more.

November 5, 2001—A hazmat team comes to the Woodrow Wilson School to remove a suspicious letter mailed from Canada. Despite mentions of “anthrax” and “dark winter” (believed to refer to a nuclear attack), it will ultimately be determined to be one of many hoaxes plaguing the campus in the wake of Amerithrax.

November 6, 1869—Rutgers defeats Princeton 6 to 4 in the first intercollegiate game of football. The Nassau Lit notes, “The game played was very different from the one to which we are accustomed; and, consequently, a good deal of confusion was created in our ranks.”

This Sports Illustrated advertisement appeared in the issue of Rutgers Athletic News for the Rutgers-Princeton centennial match on September 27, 1969. Athletic Programs Collection (AC042), Box 8, Folder 1.

November 10, 1878—Calvin Whiting and George Wilbur, both Princeton seniors, are spotted wearing “plug hats” (bowlers). The Princetonian will report, “Their appearance on that occasion proved, conclusively, that dignity is a purchasable article.”

November 11, 1918—A parade quickly comes together when news of the armistice between the Allies and Germany ending World War I reaches Princeton.

Princetonians read a special edition of the Trenton Evening Times under the banner headline, “HUNS QUIT WAR,” November 11, 1918. Historical Photograph Collection, Campus Life Series (AC112), Box SP17, Image No. 4261. For more about Princeton on Armistice Day, see the Princeton Alumni Weekly for November 20, 1918.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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