Oh, how the mighty have fallen

Thought the Holder Howl was something special? It's not. It's just a crappier version of the 20th century Poler's Recess.

The Class of 1947 will tell you how it's really done:

In January, 1949, the Daily Princetonian published a letter from an outraged alumnus from the class of 1947, which read: "It has come to my attention that the ancient and honorable custom of the 11:00 p.m. break during finals is no longer observed. ...The event was to last exactly ten minutes, during which "all radios, phonographs, pianos, saxophones, trumpets, etc. are to be played at full volume," "firecrackers to the diameter of three inches are to be set off in strategic areas," and "all ice-box pans will be emptied and beaten vigorously."

But Holder's always been somewhat on top of the Dean's Date festivities.

Despite some administrative efforts to minimize the disruption, the 1949 poler's recess was extremely successful. Holder Hall residents were specifically commended for a "dazzling performance," which included "flaming tennis balls, a mock war replete with blank shells and falling soldiers, and a huge shower of dry beer cans."

Read on here.