The timeline below features key moments in Princeton University's history. This timeline is designed as a resource to spotlight a selection of lesser-known experiences at Princeton rather than serve as an exhaustive historical record. Each entry contains a "Continue Reading" link which will guide you to more detailed information about initiatives taken to respond to each respective historical moment. The centuries below enable you to jump to particular moments in time.

The Charter of The College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) signed in 1748
1748
The University created the "Firsts at Princeton" (In)Visible Princeton historical walking tour featuring images and texts from the University archives including information about religious diversity on campus.

Drawing of 18th-century Prospect Farm constructed by Colonel George Morgan, U.S. Agent for Indian Affairs
1756
The University provides guidance for colleagues and students seeking to craft a land acknowledgement text for their unit or group.

Photo of the President's House c.1920
1766
As one part of Princeton's public acknowledgement of its institutional ties to the institution of slavery, the University commissioned commemorative artwork by Titus Kaphar and installed a permanent marker in front of Maclean House

Portrait of Betsey Stockton c. 1865
1804
The University named a garden after Stockton and installed a permanent marker between Nassau Street and Firestone Library

Image of James Collins Johnson on Princeton's campus c. 1881
1839
The University named an archway in East Pyne, a central and prominent campus building, after Johnson and installed permanent marker

Image of President Woodrow Wilson from the University Archives, c. 1890
1902
The University installed an art installation titled “Double Sights” about Woodrow Wilson’s complicated legacy after a process of consultation with the Princeton community

Undated photo of Beatrix Jones Farrand
1915
The University named a courtyard in Farrand’s honor

Papers from Turing's Graduate School file, 1936
1938
The University commissioned a portrait of Alan Turing

Sir Arthur Lewis teaching in Robertson Hall auditorium now named in his honor, c.1972
1963
The University named a major auditorium in Robertson Hall in honor of Lewis and commissioned a portrait

T'sai-Ying Cheng *63 *64, first Princeton alumna
1963
The University features Cheng’s story in an interactive walking tour titled “Stories of Asians & Asian-Americans at Princeton” as part of the (In)Visible Princeton Project

Paul C. Williams, Dr. Carl A. Fields, and A. Deane Buchanan at the first dinner banquet of Princeton's Association of Black Collegians (May 22, 1968)
1968
The University commissioned a portrait of Dr. Fields and renamed the Third World Center as The Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding

Photo of Robert Rivers, 1969
1969
The University named a roadway leading from Nassau Street to East Pyne “Rivers Way” in honor of Dr Rivers and commissioned a portrait

Clipping from The Daily Princetonian, c.1973
1971
The University created a new interactive walking tour titled “Women at Princeton” as part of the (In)Visible Princeton Project

Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Dean Cecilia Rouse, Sonia Sotomayor '76, and President Eisgruber '83
1976
Sotomayor received the Woodrow Wilson Award, the University’s highest honor for undergraduate alumni. At the ceremony on Alumni Day 2014 Sotomayor posited adding to Princeton’s informal motto, saying: “Princeton in the nation’s service, in the service of all nations, and in the service of humanity, one person and one act at a time."

Toni Morrison
1989
The University renamed West College as Morrison Hall in Morrison’s honor and commissioned a portrait

Denny Chin
1994
The University commissioned a portrait of Judge Chin