This Day in History

In Alaska, in the Nation and the World

In Alaska

• In 1903, the most precipitation ever recorded for Southeast Alaska in 24 hours was 15.2 inches in Angoon.

• In 1939, the Presbyterian mission boat Princeton was wrecked in Lynn Canal, but no lives were lost.

• In 1948, by a vote of nearly eight to one in the general election, Alaskans favored the gradual elimination of fish traps over a 10 year period.

• In 1948, after an overwhelming Democratic victory in the general election, Gov. Ernest Gruening predicted, "As Alaska goes, so goes the Nation."

• In 1967, ground breaking was held for Juneau-Douglas Community College.

In the nation

• In 1908, the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs 8-3 in Game 3 of the World Series, played in Chicago.

• In 1918, the Cloquet Fire erupted in Minnesota, claiming some 450 lives.

• In 1933, bank robber John Dillinger escaped from a jail in Allen County, Ohio, with the help of his gang, who killed the sheriff, Jess Sarber.

• In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student, died five days after being beaten and lashed to a fence; two men were charged with his murder. (Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney are serving life sentences.)

In the world

• In 1492, (Old Style calendar; Oct. 21 New Style), Christopher Columbus arrived with his expedition in the present-day Bahamas.

• In 1915, English nurse Edith Cavell was executed by the Germans in occupied Belgium during World War I.