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This Week in Princeton History for May 15-21
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the baseball team lacks uniforms, a stained glass window will be installed soon, and more. May 17, 1869—The New York Herald observes that Princeton’s baseball team lacks a uniform: “The Mutuals were attired in their new uniform, of a dark slate color, and presented a very neat…
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This Week in Princeton University History for May 8-14
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a speaker urges students to refuse to support war in their jobs, a senior’s mustache is admired, and more. May 8, 1964—The Committee on Student Life votes to recommend to the Board of Trustees that mandatory chapel attendance (known as the “chapel rule”) be abolished for Princeton…
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This Week in Princeton History for May 1-7
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, athletes enjoy a special treat after defeating Yale, a student is arrested for participation in “unbridled idiocy,” and more. May 1, 1934—In an interview with Redbook Magazine, Harold Dodds explains how the Great Depression is changing Princeton. In 1929, 20% of incoming students were self-supporting; now, 40%…
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This Week in Princeton History for April 24-30
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a fight breaks out over fashion, a sophomore dies of a somewhat mysterious illness, and more. April 25, 1964—Two undergraduates deliver 9,000 three-by-five cards to New York radio station WABC in a bid to elect Robert Goheen, president of Princeton University, as “Principal of the Year.” The…
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This Week in Princeton History for April 17-23
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, enrollment numbers are released, a change in admissions policy makes the news, and more. April 17, 1863—The Catalogue of the Officers and Students of the College of New Jersey is available for purchase at the office of the Princeton Standard. Current enrollment is listed as 223. (Enrollment…
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This Week in Princeton History for April 10-16
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, state law raises the drinking age for college students, a new photography studio opens, and more. April 10, 1846—New Jersey law now prohibits tavern keepers from selling alcohol to college students under the age of 21. April 11, 1935—A total of 13 women’s organizations convene on campus…
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This Week in Princeton History for April 3-9
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, locals warn students of the consequences of pranks, debates are raging over military presence on campus, and more. April 4, 1874—Locals warn students not to cry “fire” as a practical joke, as occurred last week: “Some day perhaps the actual wolf will come when men may stay…
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This Week in Princeton History for March 27-April 2
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the University Library seeks donations of special collections material, two new dormitories are being constructed, and more. March 29, 1922—In response to a request from the Department of History to deliberately collect material related to the American South, and noting that the John Shaw Pierson Civil War…
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This Week in Princeton History for March 20-26
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, seniors make a fashion statement, a new discovery is poised to revolutionize medicine, and more. March 23, 1893—The Class of 1893, like the Class of 1892 before them, has chosen to wear caps and gowns throughout their final spring semester. The Princetonian praises this development: There is…
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This Week in Princeton History for March 13-19
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, juniors make plans, an activist housewife is on campus, and more. March 15, 1869—Samuel Rene Gummere (Class of 1870) writes to classmate Adrian Hoffman Joline to invite him to a game of Whist in Gummere’s dorm room tomorrow night. March 16, 1971—Halfway through her 450-mile walk from…
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