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Today in History: Gold Discovery Near Dawson City Ignites Klondike Rush

8/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On August 16, 1896, George Washington Carmack and his Tagish brother-in-law, Skookum Jim Mason, discovered gold near Dawson City, Canada. This pivotal find ignited the Klondike Gold Rush, prompting around 100,000 prospectors to migrate to the region between 1896 and 1899, forever altering the landscape of the Yukon Territory.

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Story summary

On August 16, 1896, George Washington Carmack and his Tagish brother-in-law, Skookum Jim Mason, discovered gold near Dawson City, Canada. This pivotal find ignited the Klondike Gold Rush, prompting around 100,000 prospectors to migrate to the region between 1896 and 1899, forever altering the landscape of the Yukon Territory.