On November 16, 1973, President Richard Nixon formally authorized one of the most consequential energy infrastructure projects in U.S. history when he signed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act into law. The act cleared the final legal and political hurdles surrounding the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, a massive project designed to transport oil from Alaska’s North Slope to the ice-free port of Valdez.
Courtesy: Photo by File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
The legislation came at a pivotal moment for the United States. The nation was in the midst of the 1973 oil crisis, with global markets upended and domestic energy security suddenly thrust into national focus. Nixon’s approval was seen as a decisive response aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing dependence on foreign oil supplies. The act also ended years of environmental litigation and congressional debate, allowing construction to begin the following year.
UPI archives describe the day succinctly: President Nixon “authorized the construction of the Alaska Pipeline with the signing of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act into law.”
The pipeline went on to become an engineering landmark—spanning 800 miles, crossing mountain ranges, rivers, and hundreds of miles of frozen tundra. It has since transported billions of barrels of oil and remains one of the most iconic infrastructure assets in the U.S. energy sector.
Additional Historical Events on This Date
Alongside the pipeline authorization, many significant milestones occurred on November 16 throughout history, shaping global politics, culture, and U.S. development:
1907: Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state in the union, expanding U.S. statehood into the Great Plains.
1914: The New York Federal Reserve Bank opened its doors, intended to serve as a “lender of last resort” and stabilize financial markets during crises—a role it continues today.
1933: The United States took a major geopolitical step by establishing diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, altering the course of 20th-century international alignments.
1957: Serial killer Ed Gein murdered Bernice Worden. Police discovered horrific scenes in his home, including “10 human skulls, a human heart in a pot on the stove and what appeared to be a belt made out of human flesh.” The case would later inspire several iconic horror films.
1960: Hollywood icon Clark Gable, best known as Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind, died of a heart attack at 59, sending waves of mourning through the film industry.
1973: The Alaska Pipeline authorization marked a major step in transforming America’s domestic energy landscape.
1988: Pakistan elected Benazir Bhutto, making her the first woman to lead a modern Islamic nation.
1990: The Soviet Union announced its support for using military force to remove Iraq from Kuwait, while urging that action be delayed to give Saddam Hussein time to withdraw voluntarily.
2000: President Bill Clinton made history as the first U.S. president to visit Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War.
2008: After extensive negotiations with the U.S., the Iraqi Cabinet agreed to withdraw American combat troops by Dec. 31, 2011, setting the stage for a major shift in military strategy.
2021: A self-portrait by Frida Kahlo sold for $34.9 million, breaking records for works by Latin American artists and cementing her legacy in the global art market.
2023: All 30 MLB team owners unanimously approved the Oakland Athletics’ move to Las Vegas, marking one of the most significant franchise relocations in modern sports.
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