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This Week in Princeton History for May 13-19
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a student dons a disguise to arrest a cowboy, James Carnahan preaches his last sermon at Princeton, and more. May 13, 1895—A Princeton student impersonating a New Jersey State Detective arrests a circus cowboy at the Wyoming Wild West Show in Plainfield…
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This Week in Princeton History for November 1-7
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, some alumni are not pleased that students are cross-dressing for the theater, Abraham Lincoln is the most popular candidate for president on campus, and more. November 1, 1798—Using the “ride and tie” method and sharing one horse, Jacob Lindley and James Carnahan arrive in Princeton to begin…
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This Week in Princeton History for August 2-8
In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Morrison Hall is under construction, James Carnahan takes the helm as president, and more. August 2, 1836–The Boston Traveler reports: “Princeton, N. J.—This is now one of the most flourishing places in our sister…
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Princeton’s “Saturnalia”: Commencement Prior to 1844
2020 brought changes to Princeton University’s academic calendar, some planned, and some in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. This shift to an earlier start and end of Princeton’s academic year is not its first. Its historically most drastic change in the calendar came about for a surprising reason: Moving Commencement from September to June…
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