In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Princetonian journalists travel 8 miles on foot in the rain for a story, a new game is popular on campus, and more.

May 7, 1937—Forced to abandon their car, four student journalists and a photographer from the Daily Princetonian travel eight miles on foot in the rain to find the ruins of the Hindenburg in Lakehurst, New Jersey in the wee hours of the morning.

May 10, 1877—Students are giving up games like hopscotch as the African Dodger (known instead on campus by a common racial slur) gains popularity. The “game” consists of throwing things at an African American man’s head, usually baseballs.

May 11, 1857—Senior exercises end with James S. Mayne’s “Parting Ode.” For the Class of 1857, “It brought forcibly to our minds the melancholy assurance that then was the last time we should assemble together.”

May 12, 1975—The publication of Journey, a book about his life with hemophilia, brings Princeton freshman Bob Massie ’78 instant fame.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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