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This Week in Princeton History for December 11-17


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, an atomic bomb survivor speaks on campus, a numismatist gives a lecture to women in town about an archaeological dig, and more.

December 11, 1995—Hiroshima bombing survivor Michiko Yamaoka tells an audience in a crowded McCormick 101 about her experience with the world’s first nuclear attack and its aftermath and why she believes the weapons must never be used. Saying her hatred for the United States and Japan for going to war has been replaced by a hatred for war itself, she instead urges communication. “I realized how important it was to meet people across boundaries that had separated us, to have a meeting of the hearts.”

Melted roof tile from Hiroshima University. Atomic-Bombed Roof Tiles from Hiroshima University (AC408), Box 1. To read more about the impact of the blast in Hirsohima, see our previous blog post. To learn more about Princeton University’s involvement in the development of the atomic bomb, visit our current exhibition on display through June 2018.

December 12, 1898—The Prince complains that the grading and macadamizing of Washington Street will not be completed before winter.

Washington Street (now Washington Road), ca. 1890. Historical Photograph Collection, Grounds and Buildings Series (AC111), Box SP7, No. 1650.

December 14, 1936—Josephine Platner Shear lectures to the Women’s College Club of Princeton about her work as an archaeologist in the excavation of Agora in Athens where she was in charge of the numismatics department. The dig itself was directed by her husband, Princeton University professor Theodore Shear.

Agora dig site in Athens, Greece, 1930s. Historical Photograph Collection, Campus Life Series (AC112), Box AD22, Folder 11. During this archaeological dig, Josephine Platner Shear’s major discoveries included a 2nd-century C.E. Athenian coin previously unknown to scholars that commemorated reconciliation between the ancient Greek cities of Athens and Megara. You can find more about the dig and her contribution in the Office of Communications Records (AC168), Box 7, Folder 14.

December 16, 1963—University Librarian William S. Dix announces that air conditioning will be installed in Firestone Library.

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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