In 1939, an earthslide caused by heavy rains forced the Alaska-Juneau mine in Juneau to halt operations for nearly 20 hours until repairs were made.
In 1942, the Whittier-Portage tunnel was holed through, making the port accessible to Anchorage.
In the nation
In 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
In 1925, Robert F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Mass.
In 1967, the census clock at the Commerce Department ticked past 200 million.
In 1993, the U.S. Senate ended a filibuster against the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases, and passed it by a 63-36 vote. The Senate also approved legislation 61-38 implementing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
In 1998, 46 states embraced a $206 billion settlement with cigarette makers over health costs for treating sick smokers.
In the world
In 1910, revolution broke out in Mexico, led by Francisco I. Madero.
In 1943, during World War II, U.S. Marines began landing on Tarawa and Makin atolls in the Gilbert Islands, encountering fierce resistance from Japanese forces but emerging victorious three days later.
In 1945, 24 Nazi leaders went on trial before an international war crimes tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany.
In 1947, Britain's future queen, Princess Elizabeth, married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, in a ceremony broadcast worldwide from Westminster Abbey.
In 1975, after nearly four decades of absolute rule, Spain's Gen. Francisco Franco died, two weeks before his 83rd birthday.
In 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to address Israel's parliament.
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