Old Guard, 1924. Members of the Class of 1873 and earlier lead the way for the 50th Reunion Class of 1874.
According to Alexander Leitch ‘24 in A Princeton Companion the tradition of alumni parading through campus began shortly after the Civil War, when those who returned for Commencement walked in procession to a dinner meeting. Over the next few decades, alumni sometimes marched informally behind the band to the Princeton-Yale baseball game on the Saturday before Commencement. In 1897, inspired by a torchlight procession held at the Sesquicentennial celebration the previous fall, alumni organized to fall in and march behind the band to the Saturday game, and the P-rade was born.
Photo courtesy of Princeton University Archives.
October 21, 1896
This morning I went to Princeton to attend the Sesquicentennial celebration. It was a fine academic festival. The serious old town disported. Learning from far and near in picturesque costume distinguished the place and participated in its spirit. From color and throng I slipped aside for a moment into the university library. There were few there, and its cloistral quiet held me charmed. I read with scholarly interest the salutations, the congratulatory words, of colleges and universities the world over - some of them brightened in missal beauty. But soon I stood still, gazing blankly, but moved: the classic and the nourishing mother fed me. Rejoining my classmates, we dined together in the Biological hall, given by our class (1877), and at night in cap and gown marched in the lighted parade - certes illuminati*. Historic old North or Nassau Hall was brilliantly outlined with electric lights, and the campus scene wrought a high impression of beauty and enchantment. On this occasion the old college assumed the name and dignity of Princeton University. Over ten years ago, in a letter to Prof. Cameron, I suggested this change, and, so far as I know, was the first one to do so. He expressed some doubts and difficulties, but I assured him that they could be overcome and legislative consent and amendments to the charter obtained.
Edwin Manners....class of 1877.....from his diary