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This Week in Princeton History for October 18-24


In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students are taking a new kind of exam, a play written by a member of the Class of 1883 debuts on Broadway, and more.

October 19, 1859—The Princeton Standard reports on a new innovation at Princeton College: Closed-note, written exams.

October 21, 1896—As part of the Sequicentennial celebration at the institution formerly known as the College of New Jersey, Princeton University’s Class of 1861 meets for their 35th anniversary reunion.

The cover of the Princeton Class of 1861′s menu for the Sesquicentennial celebration in 1896. During this celebration of Princeton’s 150th year, the College of New Jersey, colloquially known as Princeton College, officially took the name “Princeton University.” Many classes returned to campus for the festivities. The entire menu can be viewed on our Tumblr page. Princeton University Class Records (AC130), Box 5.

October 23, 1905—“Squaw Man,” written by Edwin Milton Royle of the Class of 1883, debuts on Broadway.

“Squaw Man” was successful on Broadway and was later seen in silent film at least three times. This still from a 1910s production of “Squaw Man” is found in the Film Stills Collection (TC021).

October 24, 1979—Frederic E. Fox ’39 leads a performance of “Old Nassau” in Japanese for five visiting Japanese provincial governors.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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