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This Week in Princeton History for January 15-21
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a student writes about exams provoking anxiety, another attends the state’s gubernatorial inauguration, and more. January 15, 1750—New Jersey Governor Jonathan Belcher writes to a friend to complain about the difficulty in raising money for a college. When I consider the poverty…
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This Week in Princeton University History for October 2-8
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the colonial governor suggests a fundraising trip, popular new software requires further evaluation before being made available on campus, and more. October 2, 1751—New Jersey Governor Jonathan Belcher writes to Aaron Burr to suggest he go on a fundraising tour of Europe…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 16-22
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students have a reputation for misbehavior, people claiming to be Nigerian royalty seek pen pals, and more. January 17, 1882—The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports, “The Princeton students seem to have recommenced the disgraceful rowdyism which brought the college into such disrepute some time since,” saying that just…
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This Week in Princeton History for September 12-18
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the number of applications sets a new record, New Jersey’s new governor expresses support for the new college, and more. September 13, 1876—James McCosh reports that the number of applications for admission to Princeton reached an all-time high this year: 160. September 15, 1845—John Tyler visits the campus…
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This Week in Princeton History for June 27-July 3
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, New Jersey’s governor worries that the colonists won’t support a college, a court rules in favor of an alum, and more. June 27, 1748—Governor Jonathan Belcher writes to the Committee of the West Jersey Society, But as I find upon the Best inquiry hardly Sixty thousand Souls…
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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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This Week in Princeton History for July 27-August 2
In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the governor seals the college charter, trends in the overall diversity of the incoming class are mixed, and more. July 27, 1942—A Daily Princetonian editorial criticizes Secretary of State Cordell Hull for “abundant lip…
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This Week in Princeton History for May 2-8
In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the first Triangle Show is performed, two freshmen kick a soccer ball to Manhattan and back, and more. May 2, 1983—Reporters descend on Princeton University to ask current students for their reaction to the…
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