In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the very first classes are held, a scientific expedition photographs an eclipse, and more.
May 26, 1888—The Glee Club performs for sitting First Lady Frances Fulsom Cleveland and a crowd of nearly a thousand at a reception in her honor. After the concert, she attends the Yale-Princeton baseball game wearing Princeton’s colors and carrying an orange and black bouquet.

Frances Fulsom Cleveland. Grover Cleveland Collection (AC348), Box 1.
May 27, 1747—The College of New Jersey holds its first class in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The institution will move to Princeton in 1756.
May 28, 1900—A scientific expedition of Princetonians photographs a solar eclipse in Wadesboro, North Carolina. View the photos they took here.

Princeton Eclipse Party in Wadesboro, North Carolina, May 1900. Princeton Scientific Expeditions Collection (AC012), Box 1, Folder 5.
May 30, 1994—Kevin Lowe’s goal in overtime gives the men’s lacrosse team the NCAA championship and creates Princeton’s first pair of same-year, same-sport men’s and women’s national titles.

Princeton’s men’s lacrosse team rushes the field in celebration of its victory in the NCAA championship. Photo from the Daily Princetonian.
For last week’s installment in this series, click here.
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