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Tag: William Henry Harrison

  • This Week in Princeton History for April 4-10

    In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students receive word that the U.S. president has died, a faculty member applies for admission as an undergraduate, and more. April 5, 1841—Local residents receive word that United States President William Henry Harrison has died. In accordance with their usual custom, students will wear mourning badges for…

  • Princeton’s “Saturnalia”: Commencement Prior to 1844

    2020 brought changes to Princeton University’s academic calendar, some planned, and some in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. This shift to an earlier start and end of Princeton’s academic year is not its first. Its historically most drastic change in the calendar came about for a surprising reason: Moving Commencement from September to June…

  • This Week in Princeton History for September 24-30

    In this week’s installment of our returning series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a sophomore explains the cause of her 15 minutes of fame, the Whig-Cliosophic Society takes a stand against pornographic films, and more. September 24, 1998—In an editorial in the Daily Princetonian, Laura Vanderkam ’01…

  • This Week in Princeton History for September 26-October 2

    In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a sitting U.S. president gets a warm welcome, women’s field hockey has its first game, and more. September 26, 1879—The Princetonian reports, “We greet Murray Hall as it rises above ground.”