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This Week in Princeton History for December 2-8
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a writer notes the “astonishing” crowds at a recent event, students are signing up for a new volunteer opportunity, and more. December 2, 1846—Arguing that exposure to the practice of enslaving people results in depraved youth, a writer in Boston’s Zion’s Herald…
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This Week in Princeton History for November 18-24
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, the Princeton University Library addresses accusations of censorship, older alumni express support for the admission of women, and more. November 19, 1923—The University Librarian, James Thayer Gerould, enters the ongoing controversy between Princeton and Upton Sinclair. Gerould defends the Library against Sinclair’s…
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This Week in Princeton History for October 28-November 3
In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a writer claims strict rules mean fewer Southern students are enrolling, an underdog football team achieves a stunning victory, and more.
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This Week in Princeton History for December 11-17
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a visitor remarks on the number of fires that have happened in Princeton’s history, a football game is delayed when players pop the ball, and more. December 11, 1830—A fan of Rutgers College asserts Rutgers is superior to Princeton in the Philadelphia…
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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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Caught Between Tradition and Transformation: Princeton University’s Black Athletes in 1985
Princeton University is an institution self-consciously steeped in tradition, sometimes to an extent that even relatively recent innovations can feel like they’ve been going on for centuries. Yet it has also tried to break free of traditions that have not served it well, like discriminatory admissions policies. Holding these things in tension with one another…
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This Week in Princeton History for October 29-November 4
In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the Art Museum reopens in a modernized environment, the football team’s stunning victory over Penn sparks a riot, and more. October 29, 1966—The Princeton University Art Museum reopens in its new home in a…
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This Week in Princeton History for November 13-19
In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the first football season concludes, the Graduate Student Union holds its first meeting, and more. November 13, 1869—The first college football season ever finishes with a game at Princeton, who defeats Rutgers 8 to…
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The Changing Shape of American Football at the College of New Jersey (Princeton)
With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, our thoughts have turned toward the history of American football. We’ve repeated the fact several times: On November 6, 1869, the first intercollegiate football match ever was played on College Field in New Brunswick, New Jersey, between the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and Rutgers…
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Bonfire!!!
On Saturday, November 17th, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., we went back to Cannon Green to re-light a fire that has been dormant for six years, the BONFIRE! The bonfire is one of the oldest traditions at Princeton University. The Princetoniana Committee, part of the Alumni Association, describes the fire as “one of the most memorable–…
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