In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Woodrow Wilson refuses to have a ball, Princeton students fight to get into a class about married life, and more.
January 19, 1895—Marshall P. Wilder, the first comedian with a disability, performs at the Second Presbyterian Church in Princeton, with College of New Jersey (Princeton University) students in the audience.

Flyer advertising Marshall P. Wilder’s performance in Princeton January 19, 1895. Music Performance at Princeton Collection (AC205), Box 2.
January 20, 1913—At the request of president-elect Woodrow Wilson (formerly president of Princeton University), Washington’s Inaugural Committee cancels the Inaugural Ball.

U.S. Presidents Taft and Wilson at the 1913 Inaugural Parade. The Papers of Woodrow Wilson Project Records (MC178), Box 445.
January 21, 1905—Geography Professor William Libbey leaves Princeton for Colon, where he will have a look at the excavation of the Panama Canal.
January 22, 1953—Registration for Princeton University’s “A Course on Marriage and Family Life” fills up in a few hours, with enrollment capped at 250 and restricted to seniors only.

The first page outlining Princeton University’s 1951 marriage course. Later the document notes, “Greatest interest: you guessed it. Lectures 3 & 4 were by far most popular.” Office of Communications Records (AC168), Box 38, Folder 4. (Click to enlarge.)
For last week’s installment in this series, click here.
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