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This Week in Princeton History for October 17-23


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a junior is arrested for anti-censorship activism in South Africa, the school celebrates the 150th anniversary of its founding, and more.

October 17, 1967—Bob Durkee ’69’s in-depth award-winning article, “A New Era for the Negro at Princeton,” first appears in the Daily Princetonian.

new_era_for_the_negro_princetonian_1967-10-17_v91_n097_0001_page_1
Clipping from the Daily Princetonian.

October 18, 2000—Maurice Sendak, author of 1963’s Where the Wild Things Are, tells an audience in McCosh 50, “Adults were critical of the book, but children loved it.”

maurice_sendak_pages-from-princetonian_2000-10-18_v124_n095_0001
Advertisement from the Daily Princetonian.

October 20, 1977—Peter E. Maritz ’79 is arrested at a peaceful demonstration against censorship in South Africa and charged with violating the “Riotous Assemblies Act.”

maritz_pages-from-princetonian_1978-01-09_v101_n140_0001
Peter E. Maritz ’79 demonstrating in South Africa. Photo from the Daily Princetonian.

October 21, 1896—2,000 people march to Nassau Hall by torchlight to mark Princeton University’s sesquicentennial.

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Princeton University Sesquicentennial Torchlight Procession, October 21, 1896. Princeton Sesquicentennial Celebration Records (AC141), Box 1.

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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