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This Week in Princeton History for September 26-October 2


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a sitting U.S. president gets a warm welcome, women’s field hockey has its first game, and more.

September 26, 1879—The Princetonian reports, “We greet Murray Hall as it rises above ground.”

Murray_Hall_1879_AC112_Box_MP66_No2599
Murray Hall, 1879. Historical Photograph Collection, Campus Life Series (AC112), Box MP66, Image No. 2599. Murray Hall was originally built to hold religious meetings for the Philadelphian Society, a student organization.

September 28, 1836—Future U.S. president William Henry Harrison visits Princeton. The Princeton Whig later sums up the occasion: “He was handsomely received and cordially welcomed by a vast assemblage of citizens from the surrounding country for many miles, who pressed forward to grasp the hand of their distinguished guest and country’s defender.”

September 30, 2005—U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s keynote address for the Woodrow Wilson School’s 75th anniversary celebration draws protesters. She says, “it cannot be denied that we are standing at an extraordinary moment in history.”

Condoleezza Rice from PrincetonBulletin_2005-09-26_v95_n003_0001
Condoleezza Rice, ca. 2005. Photo from Princeton Bulletin.

October 1, 1971—The women’s field hockey team plays its first game ever.

Paw-Volumes-72-Is-this-Princetons-newest-sport-716x1024
The cover photo for the October 19, 1971 issue of Princeton Alumni Weekly was taken during the Princeton University women’s field hockey team’s first intercollegiate game against Temple College in Philadelphia on October 1, 1971.

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

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.


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