Building the Alaska Highway: Trailer

In May of 1942, thousands of American soldiers began the building of the Alaska Highway.

Interview with Experts

Hear from engineers, historians and journalists on the challenges in building the Alaska Highway.

Alaska Highway: Scouting the Route

Have you ever driven the Alcan — or just wished you could? The 1,520-mile road through Canada and Alaska is a magnet for adventurous travelers.

The Building of the Alaska Highway

In the middle of March 1942, approximately one month after President Franklin Roosevelt authorized the highway, the Army Corps of Engineers began arriving in Alaska.

Life of a Highway Builder

The grueling schedule and extreme conditions made life difficult for the highway builders.

The Ferry Disaster at Charlie Lake

 An estimated 30 men died during the construction of the Alaska Highway.

Race and the Army During World War II

When the U.S. military decided to assign three African American engineering regiments to the Alaska Highway project, it departed from its usual segregationist policies.

Japan Invades the Aleutian Islands

After the assault on Peark Harbor on December 7, 1941, Americans quickly became all too aware of their vulnerability.

Driving the Highway Today

The men who had worked on the highway had conquered a vast wilderness, opening up the first land route to Alaska from the continental United States.

Music Festival Fashion

The Music that Inspired Woodstock

Listen to a playlist exploring the hidden music history in the Woodstock set list.

Woodstock: Chapter 1

Watch Chapter 1 of Woodstock.