This Day in History

In Alaska, in the Nation and the World

In Alaska

• In 1865, the Confederate raider Shenandoah fired the last shot of the Civil War in the Bering Sea off the coast of Siberia.

• In 1948, the town of Yakutat on the edge of the Gulf of Alaska was formally incorporated as a city.

• In 1949, favorable comments concerning Juneau's new parking meters were reported by Police Chief Bernie Hulk. U.S. and Alaska health officials set up equipment at Taku Lodge near Juneau and began conducting experiments on adult mosquito control.

In the nation

• In 1807, a British frigate, the HMS Leopard, attacked and boarded the American ship USS Chesapeake off the Virginia coast in search of Royal Navy deserters.

• In 1870, the U.S. Department of Justice was created.

• In 1937, Joe Louis began his reign as world heavyweight boxing champion by knocking out Jim Braddock in the eighth round of their fight in Chicago.

• In 1938, Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of their rematch at Yankee Stadium.