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This Week in Princeton History for August 7-13
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a member of the Class of 1858 pays for tuition and fees, a false report of a war ending causes confusion, and more. August 7, 1842—An observer praises the graduating class for holding their farewell dinner without alcohol. “Friend” writes to the Daily National Intelligencer, “Such a…
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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 January 30-February 5
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students send egg rolls to a celebrity, an agricultural program is proposed, and more. January 30, 1898—Princeton president Francis Patton urges students to join the Temperance Movement and accept college rules against drinking, even if their own consciences would permit them to drink. I should be exceedingly…
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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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This Week in Princeton History for September 6-12
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the alum who chose Princeton’s colors passes away, a local quarantine is in place, and more. September 6, 1927—William Libbey, Class of 1877, who was responsible for choosing orange and black as Princeton’s colors, was the first person to earn a doctorate from Princeton (in 1879), and…
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This Week in Princeton History for March 22-28
In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the temperance movement finds support, A Beautiful Mind begins filming on campus, and more. March 23, 1843—Princetonians are collecting data about the Great Comet passing by. March 24, 1830—The Boston Recorder reports that a Temperance…
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