Video: 'Alaskan Highway documentary' (Nov. 20, 1942, at 33:45)

(Friday, November 20, 1942) — The Alaska Highway constructed during World War II to connect the contiguous United States to Alaska across Canada, was dedicated today at Soldier’s Summit in the Yukon Territory.

Also known as the Alcan Highway, it begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon.

Video: 'ALASKA HIGHWAY (1949 Documentary)'

When it was completed in 1942, it was about 1,700 miles long, but in 2012, it was only 1,387 miles. This is due to the continuing reconstruction of the highway, which has rerouted and straightened many sections.

The highway opened to the public in 1948. Once legendary for being a rough, challenging drive, the highway is now paved over its entire length. Its component highways are British Columbia Highway 97, Yukon Highway 1, and Alaska Route 2.