On December 15, 1925, a statue of Balto, a Siberian husky, was unveiled in Central Park, honoring his role in the 1925 Serum Run to Nome. This heroic mission delivered vital antitoxin to combat a diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska, where many children were at risk. While Balto received widespread media acclaim, his owner, Leonhard Seppala, felt resentful, believing that Togo, another dog on the team, deserved more recognition. The controversy highlights the myths that surrounded this pivotal moment in Alaska's history as well as the harsh realities faced by its residents.
In the winter of 1925, Balto was part of a team that braved subzero temperatures to bring a shipment of antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, where children were dying of diphtheria.
I resented the statue to Balto, for if any dog deserved special mention, it was Togo, Leonhard Seppala stated in his 1930 memoir.
Balto dominated media coverage around the world, with myriad stories and photos characterizing him as the 'hero dog,' often mythologizing his role.
Nome's diphtheria outbreak began on January 20, 1925, when the city's lone physician diagnosed a 3-year-old boy with the disease.
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