Tag Archives: religion

This Week in Princeton History for February 13-19

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a professor attempts to calm local protests, students are arrested after defacing buildings in Trenton and Lawrenceville, and more.

February 13, 1911—Louis Meyer, a Presbyterian who was raised Jewish, lectures to a large group of Princetonians in McCosh Hall’s East Room, which seats 600. As one of the progenitors of the American Hebrew-Christian movement, which will later become better known as Messianic Judaism, Meyer’s work focuses on converting other Jews to Christianity.

February 17, 1967—Princeton’s Students for a Democratic Society host the first regional Radical Education Project conference, where they unveil their “Port Authority Statement.” It encourages white collar workers to become revolutionaries who reject American imperialism and embrace Marxism.

February 18, 1935—Acting in a capacity as emergency arbitrator, Princeton University professor Charles Erdman, Jr. informs 200 unemployed protesters at the local Social Service Bureau that there is inadequate funding to meet their demands. Erdman says that there has been no discrimination from the Bureau, but Black residents argue otherwise.

February 19, 1902—Twelve students are arrested in Trenton for malicious mischief after painting “‘05” on the battle monument, twenty houses on Princeton Avenue, and several farms in Lawrenceville. The incident will make headlines nationwide. Urging upperclassmen to rein in the lower classes, the Princeton Alumni Weekly will observe with frustration,

the freshmen went about their work of painting this part of the state with more thoroughness than ever before, and were so self-sacrificing for the cause that some of them might have frozen to death if they had not taken refuge in a farm-house, whence they were conveyed to Princeton, with feet wrapped in grain bags, by a rescuing party in a sleigh.

A man holding a paintbrush and paint can standing in front of a wall with "1905" painted on it

This illustration in the Class of 1905’s Nassau Herald looks back on their 1902 arrests.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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This Week in Princeton History for January 2-8

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series, Princeton’s colors are on display at a party in New Orleans, a student is unimpressed with a future movie classic, and more.

January 4, 1891—The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that at a recent New Year’s Eve party thrown by Pearl Wright for her son, Ira, and his friends, the rooms were decorated in Yale colors and the party favors were adorned with blue and white ribbons, with the exception of “exquisite little yellow porcelain jugs tied with black ribbons, the Princeton colors, that were used in compliment to several of the Princeton students that were present.”

Although we associate Princeton with a much brighter shade of orange, several examples in our collections suggest that the orange of prior generations was considerably lighter–sometimes one could easily call it yellow–and references like this one from 1891 suggest it isn’t necessarily due to fading. Class of 1873 ribbon, Memorabilia Collection (MC053).

January 6, 1818—The faculty observe, “It appeared that during the last week, there had been an unusual number absent from prayers; yet it appeared to be owing, not to willful neglect or disregard of duty, but in part to the holiday season, and in part to such remissness and want of vigilance in the students as too frequently make advances on perfect order in this particular, in which it is extremely difficult to correct.”

January 7, 1972—Amy Richlin ’73 reviews Dirty Harry for the Daily Princetonian. “It stinks.”

January 8, 1923—Henry van Dyke, Class of 1873, resigns the Murray Professorship of English Literature, which he has held since its founding 1890. With his resignation, he includes a check for $2,000 (approximately $35,000 in 2022 dollars), half his annual salary, to defray costs associated with him leaving in the middle of the academic year.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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This Week in Princeton History for May 16-22

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the administration bans automobiles on campus, a student writes to a friend to say being admitted to Princeton has not improved him, and more.

May 18, 1925—In response to student complaints, starting today, private automobiles, motorcycles, and carriages will no longer be permitted on Princeton’s campus, except if needed for business purposes. Students have expressed concerns about the way these vehicles tear up the grass and make it too noisy to study.

Three students with a car on campus, ca. 1920s. Historical Photograph Collection (AC112), Box SP14, Item No. 3412.

May 19, 1951—In observance of Armed Forces Day, local shops include military exhibits in their window displays.

May 20, 1877—James McCosh permits students to experiment with a “camp prayer-meeting,” holding the usual prayer service outdoors instead of indoors.

May 21, 1782—Ashbel Green writes to a friend, “I can assure you that I am not one inch taller, nor, that I know of, one whit the better for my admittance to Nassau Hall.”

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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This Week in Princeton History for March 14-20

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students organize a Glee Club, betting on football makes the news, and more.

March 16, 1866—Students join with the community to observe a day of fasting, prayer, and confession. All business and schools are closed, and farmers have come in for miles to join in the services held at the First Church. In announcing the fast day, the Princeton Standard explained the intent: “It is hoped that the revival of religion in the College may be extended to the people of the town.”

March 17, 1885—Internationally acclaimed singer Emma Cecilia Thursby performs in University Hall. The Daily Princetonian will pronounce the concert “one of the best treats of the season.”

March 18, 1874—Noting that “the lack of one has been seriously felt during the past few years,” a group of students organize a Glee Club.

Program from Princeton College Glee Club concert, June 26, 1875. Music Performance at Princeton Collection (AC205), Box 3.

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This Week in Princeton History for February 14-20

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series, Paul Pry insults New Jersey, student journalists interview the “sphinx of Watergate,” and more.

February 14, 1835—Anne Royall’s Paul Pry takes Princeton to task for attempting to raise $100,000 in support of expanding its influence into the American west and abroad: “These men cannot and dare not say this College is intended to disseminate knowledge—if so, why have they not improved the people of their own State?—they being decidedly the most ignorant people in the Union, excepting one. … Let those hypocrites deny if they dare, that the ignorance of the people of New Jersey is proverbial.” Royall believes Princeton is plotting to destroy Catholics.

February 17, 1981—G. Gordon Liddy (the “sphinx of Watergate”) tells three student reporters with the Daily Princetonian that killing people is not necessarily immoral, and explains the plans he had to kill journalist Jack Anderson. He still believes this would have been justifiable.

G. Gordon Liddy. Photo from Daily Princetonian.

February 18, 1911—The Princetonian complains of inadequate walking paths for pedestrians on campus, asserting, “Another spot on the lower campus which now makes an excellent habitat for mud turtles is between Dod and Edwards.” They suggest the construction of boardwalks.

February 19, 1930—Theodore Whitefield Hunt, Class of 1865, celebrates his 86th birthday. “I am beginning to feel a little old,” he says.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.