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This Week in Princeton History for May 28-June 3


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, an Ethiopian emperor tours the campus, the Nassau Lit notes that the institution has no school colors, and more.

May 28, 1870—A committee of 20 Presbyterians is in Princeton to lay the cornerstone of Reunion Hall, named in honor of the reunion of Old and New School Presbyterians.

Reunion Hall, undated. Historical Postcard Collection (AC045), Box 1.

May 29, 1954—Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I stops by the Princeton campus as part of a month-long tour of the United States.

Emperor Haile Salassie I (center) touring the Princeton campus, May 29, 1954. Historical Photograph Collection, Individuals Series (AC067), Box LP1.

May 30, 1993—John Allis ’65 is inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.

The Princeton University cycling team training to qualify for the 1964 Olympic Games ca. 1963. We aren’t sure if  John Allis ’65 is pictured here, but he did compete as a cyclist in the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympic Games. Alan W. Richards Photographs of Princeton University Athletics (401), Box 1.

June 1, 1867—The Nassau Literary Magazine notes that the College of New Jersey (Princeton), unlike its peer institutions, does not have school colors.

This is a sample of ribbons worn by College of New Jersey (Princeton) students in 1874, the first time ribbons were printed with orange and black stripes for Princeton. We believe based on written records describing the center stripe as “bright orange” that the dye has faded. Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 391, Folder 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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