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This Week in Princeton History for November 28-December 4


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, residents flee Nassau Hall, Theodore Roosevelt goes to a football game, and more.

November 29, 1776—John Witherspoon calls all the students of the College of New Jersey (Princeton) together in the Prayer Hall in Nassau Hall to dismiss them to safety. Taking what they can carry with them and leaving the rest to become spoils of war for the rapidly approaching British soldiers, the students say good-bye to one another and take flight from campus.

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Nassau Hall, 1760. Nassau Hall Iconography Collection (AC177), Box 1.

December 1, 1978—21 students and one alumnus are arrested in a drug raid on campus.

December 2, 1905—Theodore Roosevelt visits Princeton to attend the Army-Navy football game at University Field.

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Theodore Roosevelt arrives at Princeton University, December 2, 1905. Historical Photograph Collection, Individuals Series (AC067), Box LP1.

December 4, 1806—John Evans, Class of 1808, is suspended following an incident in which he is said to have been “going from one entry in the college to another at a late hour in the night and shouting in a savage like manner to the great disturbance of those who were in their beds.”

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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