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This Week in Princeton History for March 28-April 3
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students join Anthony Comstock’s quest to rid America of vice, Princeton circulates a questionnaire for its “enemy aliens,” and more. March 29, 1888—In a lecture to the Philadelphian Society, Anthony Comstock convinces many Princeton students to join his cause. This week, some of them will vote for…
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This Week in Princeton History for March 21-27
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a local editorial argues against suffrage for the emancipated, a Prince initiative gets attention in London, and more. March 22, 1867—An editorial in the Princeton Standard argues that those formerly enslaved in the South should not be permitted to vote, and instead the South should be put under military…
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This Week in Princeton History for March 14-20
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students organize a Glee Club, betting on football makes the news, and more. March 16, 1866—Students join with the community to observe a day of fasting, prayer, and confession. All business and schools are closed, and farmers have come in for miles to join in the services…
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This Week in Princeton History for March 7-13
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, locals take note of the Gold Rush, the Emperor of Japan honors an alum, and more. March 8, 1882—The Chicago Tribune reports that rumors are circulating that James McCosh will be forced out and replaced by John Hall after losing his temper in chapel when several members…
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This Week in Princeton History for February 28-March 6
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, an honorary degree is controversial, students fear smallpox, and more. March 1, 1836—The Baltimore Literary and Religious Magazine expresses outrage that Princeton has awarded William Gaston (Class of 1796) an honorary L.L.D., because they disapprove of thus honoring a Catholic. “We pronounce it a most gross outrage…
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This Week in Princeton History for February 21-27
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, Abraham Lincoln disappoints students, the chief of staff for the Black Panthers speaks in Dillon Gym, and more. February 21, 1861—Students who have waited for him are disappointed when Abraham Lincoln does not stop at Princeton’s train station between speaking from the train in New Brunswick and…
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This Week in Princeton History for February 14-20
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, Paul Pry insults New Jersey, student journalists interview the “sphinx of Watergate,” and more. February 14, 1835—Anne Royall’s Paul Pry takes Princeton to task for attempting to raise $100,000 in support of expanding its influence into the American west and abroad: “These men cannot and dare not say this…
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This Week in Princeton History for February 7-13
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a junior defends the disproportionate number of Jews rejected in the Bicker process, students complain about seating arrangements in lecture halls, and more. February 7, 1827—New York’s Jamestown Journal prints correspondence from a traveler from Brattleborough to Washington: “In travelling through New Jersey to Trenton, you pass…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 31-February 6
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the matriculation process is explained, local women report on their efforts to keep students from drinking, and more. February 2, 1845—A letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun explains what it is like for a new student at Princeton: When he arrives[,] he look[s] round, well…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 24-30
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, an alum urges Americans to put the Civil War behind them in order to defeat a new mutual enemy, the local newspaper advocates scrapbooking, and more. January 24, 1817—The New York Commercial Advertiser reports that students at Princeton “are in a state of revolt.” January 25, 1764—Around…
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