Princeton has long identified strongly with the American Revolution and its heroes, adopting weaponry as a symbol of school spirit and appropriating George Washington as a sort of mascot.

While many of these celebrations have frequently been comedic or frivolous, others have taken a more somber tone. Princetonians have often reflected seriously on the impact and significance of the events of the 18th century, not only on the American experience, but also on their own, just as Princeton of 2026 and 2027 will do throughout this academic year.

Though Princetonians had stopped commemorating patriotic holidays on campus with much regularity by the mid-20th century, the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations seem to have inspired a similarly whimsical approach among the student body as the 200th anniversary of American independence approached.