ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
November 21, 1942
Alaska Highway Connecting the Continental U.S.
to Alaska is Formally Opened
On this day in 1942, the Alaska Highway passing through Canada to connect Dawson Creek, British Columbia to
Delta Junction, Alaska was celebrated. Construction of the highway began shortly after the U.S. entered World War
II to link airfields in Canada and Alaska and to provide a military supply route.
Although it was formally opened on November 21, it was actually completed on October 28. The road was originally
not suited for civilian traffic, however, after numerous improvements it was finally opened to the public in
1948.
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