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This Week in Princeton History for April 9-15


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a group of undergraduate activists derail a segregationist group on campus, the Nassau Literary Review protests police abuse of firearms, and more.

April 9, 1964—Activists in favor of integration carry out a coup in the leadership of the Committee for Racial Reconciliation, a pro-segregation student organization, electing African American Robert F. Engs ’65 as its vice president, making headlines and sparking immediate controversy throughout the United States.

Photo from the Daily Princetonian.

April 10, 1864—William Farrand of the Class of 1865 dies of the measles.

April 12, 1872—A student is arrested at gunpoint without cause and the case is dismissed. The Nassau Literary Review will report: “We know not what Princeton laws allow, but we do know that the officers in our large cities are not allowed thus shamefully to treat an offending person, when he declares he will make no resistance; nor can an officer draw his pistol when his life is not threatened.”

April 14, 1972—110 students with the University Action Group (UAG) spend the night in the Faculty Room of Nassau Hall as part of a sit-in to attempt to force the Board of Trustees to hold an open meeting about the pending ratification of ROTC contracts to which the UAG object.

Clipping from Daily Princetonian.

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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