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This Week in Princeton History for October 12-18


In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a rally mourns the death of Matthew Shepard, controversy surrounds an advertisement in the Daily Princetonian, and more.

October 13, 1998—About 100 Princeton University students rally to mourn the loss of Matthew Shepard, a student at the University of Wyoming who was tortured and murdered in an anti-gay hate crime. Caroline Baker ’02, co-president of Princeton’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Alliance, says she is particularly affected by Shepard’s death because he “had just been doing what we had been doing—planning the LGB awareness week.”

Clipping from the Daily Princetonian. Caption reads: “Students sing at the candlelight vigil held Monday night in memory of hate-crime victim Matthew Shepard, who died earlier that day.”

October 14, 1983—An advertisement for Miller beer in today’s issue of the Daily Princetonian offends many readers with its implication that women on campus are there for men’s pleasure.

Advertisement printed in the Daily Princetonian. The ad copy reads, “Hi, it’s my first semester here at Princeton and I don’t know anybody and your Grandmother told my Aunt Jean that you’re a nice guy and I should look you up…Welcome to Miller time.”

October 15, 1947—Residents of the so-called “Blair Hall Penthouse” install a mailbox for themselves, which the Department of Grounds and Buildings promptly removes.

October 17, 1884—About 125 Princeton students join a procession totaling about 2,000 people in nearby Hightstown supporting the Blaine-Logan presidential ticket. Other participants include the City Invincibles, Young Men’s Republican Club, Chambersburg Pioneer Corps, Third Ward Republican Club, Plug Hat Guards, Princeton Republican Club, Princeton Colored Pioneers, Cranbury Blaine and Logan Club, Yardville Republican Club, and New Egypt Blaine and Logan Guards.

For the previous 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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