Newman Day

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Allegedly named after Paul Newman, this is an annual tradition at Bates College, Princeton University, Kenyon College, and other colleges where 24 beers are consumed over 24 hours. It usually occurs in January at Bates and every April 24 at Princeton and other colleges. One possible explanation of the name of the tradition at Bates is that Paul Newman once said "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not," and loosely based upon his character in the film "Cool Hand Luke." This statement has never been confirmed as coming from Newman and he has stated that he is opposed to the tradition. [1] It is believed that Newman (or Newman's) day has been celebrated at Bates since the late 1970s. Recent research has shown references made to Newman day in "The Bates Student" as early as the late 1970s, including alumni who remember days of cafeteria food fights following each year's celebration. The January date is in honor of the actor's birthday and celebrated on the Friday nearest this date (January 26).

At Princeton, the origin of the day is shrouded in mystery. Here, the day is celebrated every April 24 with the slogan: "24 in 24 on the 24th".

The event received extreme media attention in 2004 after Newman's lawyer sent a letter to Princeton University and Bates College (and more significantly forwarded a copy to the New York Times) hoping to end the tradition. [2] This resulted in swarms of reporters around the campuses, but the celebration continued.

Kenyon College, Newman's alma mater, has also celebrated Newman Day on March 30, the anniversary of the actor's first Academy Award. The day revolves around not only drinking, but also community service projects and charity work. More than four hundred dollars was donated in the holiday's second year. Newman, in a letter sent to the campus, did not condone the drinking, and hoped for good works of charity to be performed instead.

So far, the students of Princeton and Bates have not included charitable works as part of their own celebration.