Newman Day
Newman Day, or (at Princeton University) Newman's Day, allegedly named after Paul Newman, 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.[2] The January date is in honor of the actor's birthday and celebrated on the Friday nearest this date (January 26).
The event received media attention in 2004 after Newman's lawyer sent a letter to Princeton University and Bates College hoping to end the tradition.[3] 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 were 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.
A spin-off of Newman Day, called Newman Night has been recently started at The Evergreen State College in which students celebrate by having a dinner party consisting largely of Newman's Own brand food. A classic Paul Newman movie is viewed and whenever Newman enters a new scene, the partakers have a drink of Newman's Own beverage spiked with hard alcohol.
Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals celebrates an annual "Paul Newman Day" while on tour in Bermuda. Many members are known to take part in the popular spin off of "Kitty Dukakis Day", drinking 750 ml of hard liquor in 24 hours. Additionally, some of its band members take part in what is known as "The Jonathan Price Holiday Grog", drinking 72 beers in 72 hours.
References
- ^ The New York Times: "Newman's Day — forget it, star urges drinkers." Retrieved May 27, 2007.
- ^ The Daily Princetonian: Carol Lu, "If I had a nickel for every beer I drank today." April 24, 2007.
- ^ BBC News: "Binge drink ritual upsets actor." Retrieved May 26, 2007.
