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Princeton considers itself to be the fourth oldest university in British North America.[http://www.princeton.edu/main/about/history/] Princeton, Penn, Brown, Columbia, Rutgers, and Dartmouth are all roughly the same age, originating within about a two-decade period from 1750  to 1770. Because institutional age is a point of pride, and because there is no firm definition of what constitutes "founding," colleges have a tendency to interpret history in such a way as to yield the earliest possible founding date. Until 1895, Princeton would generally have been considered the fourth oldest, Penn then stating its founding date as 1749, but in 1895 Penn alumni found an interpretation for a founding year of 1740, the date Penn now uses. Thus, Princeton and Penn both claim to be the fourth oldest.

Princeton considers itself to be the fourth oldest university in British North America.[http://www.princeton.edu/main/about/history/] Princeton, Penn, Brown, Columbia, Rutgers, and Dartmouth are all roughly the same age, originating within about a two-decade period from 1750  to 1770. Because institutional age is a point of pride, and because there is no firm definition of what constitutes "founding," colleges have a tendency to interpret history in such a way as to yield the earliest possible founding date. Until 1895, Princeton would generally have been considered the fourth oldest, Penn then stating its founding date as 1749, but in 1895 Penn alumni found an interpretation for a founding year of 1740, the date Penn now uses. Thus, Princeton and Penn both claim to be the fourth oldest.

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and famous university in Princeton, New Jersey, founded in 1746 as the "College of New Jersey." It is one of the nine Colonial Colleges (founded before 1776) and one of eight members of the Ivy League. It is outstanding both as an undergraduate college and as a research university.  

and famous university in Princeton, New Jersey, founded in 1746 as the "College of New Jersey." It is one of the nine Colonial Colleges (founded before 1776) and one of eight members of the Ivy League. In its own words, Princeton "strives to be one of the leading research universities and the most outstanding undergraduate college in the world."<ref>[http://www.princeton.edu/main/about/ About Princeton], university website: "Princeton simultaneously strives to be one of the leading research universities and the most outstanding undergraduate college in the world. As a research university, it seeks to achieve the highest levels of distinction in the discovery and transmission of knowledge and understanding, and in the education of graduate students. At the same time, Princeton is distinctive among research universities in its commitment to undergraduate teaching."</ref>

Princeton's original building, Nassau Hall, was the first important college building in the Middle Atlantic colonies. Construction began in 1754 and it was first used in 1756.<ref name=nps>[http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/colonials-patriots/sitec24.htm Nassau Hall], National Park Service</ref> It was named in honor of King William III,<ref name=princetoniana>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/nassauhall.asp Nassua Hall], Princeton alumni association website</ref>, King of England from 1689 to 1702, and a Dutch-born member of the house of Orange-Nassau. It was pressed into service in the American Revolution, changed hands several times during the [[Battle of Princeton]], and briefly served as the capital of the United States in 1783<ref name=princetoniana/>. The building, and by extension Princeton itself, are affectionately referred to by Princeton alums as "Old Nassau." ''Old Nassau'' is also the title of Princeton's alma mater, written in 1859<ref>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/oldnassau2.asp Old Nassau], history and words, Princeton alumni association website.</ref>  

Princeton's original building, Nassau Hall, was the first important college building in the Middle Atlantic colonies. Construction began in 1754 and it was first used in 1756.<ref name=nps>[http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/colonials-patriots/sitec24.htm Nassau Hall], National Park Service</ref> It was named in honor of King William III,<ref name=princetoniana>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/nassauhall.asp Nassua Hall], Princeton alumni association website</ref>, King of England from 1689 to 1702, and a Dutch-born member of the house of Orange-Nassau. It was pressed into service in the American Revolution, changed hands several times during the [[Battle of Princeton]], and briefly served as the capital of the United States in 1783<ref name=princetoniana/>. The building, and by extension Princeton itself, are affectionately referred to by Princeton alums as "Old Nassau." ''Old Nassau'' is also the title of Princeton's alma mater, written in 1859<ref>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/oldnassau2.asp Old Nassau], history and words, Princeton alumni association website.</ref>