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American Experience
Arctic Challenges
By September of 1942, the Army Corps of Engineers building the Alaska Highway had struck permafrost—ground that had been frozen for two or more years. After removing the covering vegetation, the frozen ground began to thaw, creating mud. Permafrost wasn’t the only challenge the engineers faced. In October, temperatures began to drop, signaling the start of one of the coldest winters on record.
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Ronald Reagan left the White House one of the most popular presidents of the 20th century.
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A biography from American Experience's collection of presidential portraits.
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Follow LBJ from rural Texas to his ascendancy to the presidency after the assassination of JFK.
