Washington's Birthday Celebration Records 1880-1932

Summary

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Overview

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Abstract

Princeton University has always held a special place for founding father George Washington, dating to the Battle of Princeton in 1777 when the general led continental troops in an early morning surprise attack that successfully pushed the British out of Nassau Hall. Consists of collected programs, odes, schedules, and clippings pertaining to the University's commemoration of Washington's birthday throughout its history.

Description

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Description

Consists of collected programs, odes, schedules, and clippings pertaining to the University's commemoration of Washington's birthday throughout its history.

Collection Creator History

Princeton University has always held a special place for founding father George Washington, dating to the Battle of Princeton in 1777 when the general led continental troops in an early morning surprise attack that successfully pushed the British out of Nassau Hall. Later in the war Washington was a frequent visitor to Nassau Hall while the Continental Congress used it as a meeting place, and was a guest of honor at the College's commencement in 1783. Among the University's most prized possessions is a portrait of Washington painted by Charles Wilson Peale that hangs in Nassau Hall. The first recorded celebration of Washington's birthday at Princeton took place in 1794, however the marking of the date as a holiday became more consistent in the 19th century. The celebration to mark the bicentennial of Washington's birthday in 1932 was especially large. At Princeton, as elsewhere, the holiday was traditionally celebrated on the 22nd or 23rd of February, however legislation passed in 1968 officially recognized the date as falling on the third Monday of February.

Collection History

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Access and Use

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Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Preferred Citation

Washington's Birthday Celebration Records; 1880-1932, Princeton University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Find More

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Topics

• Princeton University

Subject Terms

• Anniversaries, etc
• New Jersey
• Princeton
• Princeton University
• Songs and music
• Washington's Birthday

Contents and Arrangement

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