This Day in History
In Alaska
• In 1835, Robert Kennicott, naturalist and explorer, was born.
• In 1943, a fire in downtown Fairbanks caused more than $50,000 damage.
• In 1954, a spokesman from Standard Oil Co. told an "All-Alaska Chamber of Commerce" meeting that Alaska's oil development prospects were very good.
In the nation
• In 1927, the Holland Tunnel opened to the public, providing access between New York City and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River.
• In 1940, the Walt Disney animated movie "Fantasia" had its world premiere in New York.
• In 1942, the minimum draft age was lowered from 21 to 18.
• In 1956, the Supreme Court struck down laws calling for racial segregation on public buses.
• In 1971, the U.S. space probe Mariner 9 went into orbit around Mars.
• In 1977, the comic strip "Li'l Abner" by Al Capp appeared in newspapers for the last time.
• In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington.
• In 1998, President Clinton agreed to pay Paula Jones $850,000 to drop her sexual harassment lawsuit, ending the legal battle that spurred impeachment proceedings against him.
• In 2001, U.S. Roman Catholic bishops overwhelmingly approved a compromise sexual-abuse policy after the Vatican demanded they make changes to balance fairness to priests with compassion for victims.
In the world
• In 1985, some 23,000 residents of Armero, Colombia, died when a gigantic mudslide buried the city.
• In 2001, claiming Iraq was seeking the "path of peace," Saddam Hussein's government agreed to the return of international weapons inspectors.