Now one of the highlights of the alumni community calendar, Orange & Black Day is a relatively new tradition. In 2021, the world was frozen in place by the COVID-19 pandemic; it was not possible for most alumni to gather. In-person Reunions were canceled for two years in a row, the first cancellations since World War II. Students returned to campus in early 2021, but travel was restricted, and Alumni Day was cancelled. Many people were still socially-distancing and looking for alternative ways to connect.

Since Princetonians couldn’t physically gather on a large scale, members of the Alumni Council envisioned a new Princeton tradition that would commemorate Charter Day, Oct. 22, as Princeton’s birthday. The day would be an opportunity for alumni to express their Tiger pride virtually — a series of online huzzahs around the world celebrated in orange and black style.

“I thought all the best University engagement initiatives are the ones that have a wide-open door, don’t presuppose what engagement ought to look like and meet alumni where they are,” said Rishi Jaitly ’04, then chair of the Alumni Council’s Communications and Technology Committee.

With the support of the Alumni Council and the Advancement Office, Orange & Black Day was launched as a signature engagement initiative of the University’s Venture Forward campaign. Princetonians were encouraged to show their Tiger spirit wherever they were, alone or in small groups, donning their favorite orange and black gear and snapping pictures. They could then share those Orange & Black Day photos on social media, tagging @princetonalumni with designated hashtags. Princetonians without a social media presence were also able to join in, posting their group photos, selfies and celebratory messages on an online Kudoboard. The virtual world-wide party was a success, with thousands of photos and messages uploaded from across the U.S. and from countries around the world.

In 2022, celebrations of Orange & Black Day were also organized on the Princeton University campus. Students and local Princetonians visited festive “selfie stations” set up at special campus spots— the Nassau Hall Tigers, Frist Campus Center, Dillon Gym and Firestone Library — to take photos and share birthday treats. The Princeton University Band performed “Happy Birthday to You” in front of Nassau Hall in the University’s honor.

Alumni celebrations have continued to grow every year with alumni gathering in person and online with their regional clubs, classes and affinity groups. Supported by Orange & Black Day grants funded by the Alumni Council, alumni volunteers hosted nearly 60 Orange & Black Day events worldwide in 2025, and hundreds of alumni and friends shared photos online.

Tigers have celebrated Princeton’s birthday in parks, on the beach, in backyards and in breweries around the globe. On campus, orange and black birthday cake has been shared at halftime during football games (2023, 2025) and actors performed an interpretation of the original charter at Maclean House (2024).

This year’s commemoration is especially notable. Not only does the October celebration mark the 280th birthday of the University, but it also serves as the grand finale of eight months of activities honoring the 200th anniversary of the Alumni Association.

All members of the University community — students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends — are invited to participate in this special day. Tigers can send Orange & Black Day greetings from anywhere, and join local gatherings hosted by regional associations, classes and affinity groups. On campus, alumni will serve birthday cake to students in their residential college dining halls.

For more information on Orange & Black Day, visit the Princeton alumni website. Happy birthday, Princeton!