In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, final exams ask about America’s future, a sophomore wins an unusual contest involving a bus, and more.

August 15, 1945—Future Dean of the Princeton University Chapel Ernest Gordon is freed after 40 months as a prisoner of war in the Japanese Kwai River camps.

Ernest Gordon, undated. Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel Records (AC144), Box 35.

August 17, 1895—The Princeton Press announces that the College of New Jersey (Princeton) has sufficient demand for telephone service (40 receivers) to have them installed on campus.

August 18, 1797—Less than a decade after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution replaces the new nation’s Articles of Confederation, graduating seniors at the College of New Jersey (Princeton) are asked to debate this question for their final exams: “Is it probable that the federal government will be permanent?”

August 20, 2000—Akshay Mahajan ’03 wins $20,000 in prizes for surviving four days in a bus.

Photo from the Daily Princetonian.

For last week’s installment in this series, click here.

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