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This Week in Princeton History for April 16-22


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a young professor dies of AIDS, the Princetonian begins publishing every other day, and more.

April 16, 1995—Assistant professor of English Walter C. Hughes, age 34, dies of AIDS.

Walter C. Hughes, ca. 1990s. Photo from the Princeton Weekly Bulletin.

April 17, 1885—The Princetonian announces a change in publication schedule from biweekly to every other day during the academic year.

April 19, 1783—Thirteen cannons are fired at Princeton’s flagstaff to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. John Witherspoon addresses attendees in Nassau Hall.

April 20, 1894—William Lapidge Hedenberg of the Class of 1891 files a patent for a new kind of electric trolley that does not require wires overhead.

William Lapidge Hedenberg, Class of 1891, 1890. Photo by Pach Brothers. Historical Photograph Collection, Alumni Photographs Series (AC058), Box SP13.

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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