Rutgers–Princeton Cannon War facts for kids
The Rutgers–Princeton Cannon War is a fun rivalry between two big universities in New Jersey: Princeton University (once called the College of New Jersey) and Rutgers University (once called Rutgers College). This "war" isn't fought with real weapons, but with pranks and attempts to steal two old cannons from the American Revolutionary War.
Contents
A Long-Standing Rivalry
Rutgers and Princeton are both located in Central Jersey, only about 17 miles apart. Princeton started in 1746 and moved to Princeton ten years later. Rutgers began in 1766.
In 1864, Rutgers became New Jersey's official land-grant university. This meant it received special government support for teaching practical subjects like farming and engineering. Rutgers won this title over other colleges, including Princeton, which added to their rivalry.
The competition grew even more on November 6, 1869. Rutgers beat Princeton in the very first intercollegiate football game. This historic game took place in New Brunswick, where Rutgers' College Avenue Gymnasium now stands.
The Cannons: Symbols of Rivalry
Two cannons from the American Revolutionary War were left at Princeton after the war ended. Many people think they were used in the Battle of Princeton, but they weren't.
- Big Cannon is behind Nassau Hall, in an area called Cannon Green.
- Little Cannon is between Whig and Clio Halls.
During the War of 1812, "Big Cannon" was moved to New Brunswick. It was used to help protect the city from British attacks. It stayed at Rutgers for many years and was even used for training by Rutgers students during the American Civil War.
In 1836, a local group called the "Princeton Blues" tried to take "Big Cannon" back to Princeton. Their wagon broke down, so the cannon didn't reach the campus until 1838. A student named Leonard Jerome (who later became the grandfather of Winston Churchill) led a large group of students to bring it to Nassau Hall. In 1840, the cannon was placed muzzle-down in its current spot.
Cannon-Napping Adventures
The rivalry over the cannons led to several daring attempts to "steal" them.
The First Cannon Capture: 1875
On the night of April 25, 1875, ten students from Rutgers tried to steal "Big Cannon" from Princeton. It was too heavy to move. Instead, they took "Little Cannon" and brought it back to New Brunswick.
Princeton students responded by raiding Rutgers and taking some old muskets. The leaders of both colleges then exchanged polite but firm letters. Eventually, a special committee decided the issue. "Little Cannon" was returned to Princeton, with the New Brunswick Police Chief escorting it.
A Car-Tearing Attempt: 1946
In October 1946, a group of Rutgers students tried again to steal the famous cannon. This attempt was even more dramatic. They attached a heavy chain from the cannon to their Ford car. Princeton students and the police surprised them. The Rutgers students hit the gas so hard that their car was torn in half! The students escaped, but they didn't get the car or the cannon.
The Mysterious Disappearance: 1971
Before the annual Rutgers-Princeton football game in the fall of 1971, the cannon seemed to vanish. A large, deep hole was found where the cannon usually sat. Campus police were puzzled because the cannon was so heavy. It turned out that a hole had simply been dug next to the cannon, and the dirt was used to bury it. News about this prank appeared in both Rutgers and New Jersey newspapers.
The Bicentennial Bust: 1976
On January 31, 1976, five Rutgers students and an older woman (one student's grandmother) tried to get the cannon. They had planned this for a year. They created a fake group called the "New Jersey Citizens Bicentennial Committee" (NJCBC). They got a security pass and used the grandmother to make their story seem real.
They told security guards that their committee had permission to take the cannon for a statewide tour. They even brought trucks and heavy equipment onto Princeton grounds. But within minutes of digging, a Princeton University detective stopped them. He knew they were from Rutgers! They later learned that the detective's wife's friend worked for the *real* Bicentennial Commission. A quick phone call exposed their plan. The students and the grandmother were questioned, but all charges were dropped after the grandmother explained it was "only a lark" (a harmless prank).
Modern Cannon Traditions
Today, Rutgers students often paint the cannon at Princeton red. This usually happens in the week leading up to Rutgers' graduation or on other important Rutgers dates.
In February 2010, the rivalry went a bit further. In deep snow, students not only painted the cannon and its concrete base, but also spray-painted Princeton classroom buildings, dorms, and libraries. Many Rutgers bumper stickers were also placed around the campus.
In November 2011, a group of Rutgers students filmed their trip to paint the cannon. This footage became part of a larger project about the Cannon War's history. The film, "Knights, Tigers, and Cannons. Oh My!" by Zack Morrison, won an award at the New Jersey Film Festival in September 2012.
