| | 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> John O'Hara once observed that if Harvard men go to heaven, "Princeton men go back to Old Nassau."<ref>O'Hara, John, ''My Turn,'' Newsday, May 8, 1965, as collected in his 1966 book ''My Turn''</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> John O'Hara once observed that if Harvard men go to heaven, "Princeton men go back to Old Nassau."<ref>O'Hara, John, ''My Turn,'' Newsday, May 8, 1965, as collected in his 1966 book ''My Turn''</ref> |
| | In the 1900s, prior to the rise of professional football, college football received national attention and Princeton was an important team, with Princeton and Penn being traditional rivals. | | In the 1900s, prior to the rise of professional football, college football received national attention and Princeton was an important team, with Princeton and Penn being traditional rivals. |