Our story takes place in Nome, Alaska, a small town that became famous during the Gold Rush in the 1890s. People came from all over hoping to find gold and get rich. But living in Nome wasn’t easy, especially in winter when there were no paved roads. The people of Nome had to rely on each other to survive the harsh conditions.
Leonhard Seppala, a Norwegian man, lived in Nome and owned a kennel where he bred Siberian Huskies. These dogs were perfect for the cold climate because they were fast and strong. One of the puppies born in his kennel was Balto, a black and white husky with brown eyes. Although Balto wasn’t considered special at first, he would soon prove everyone wrong.
In the winter of 1924, Nome faced one of its coldest winters ever, with temperatures dropping to -50 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time, many children in Nome started getting sick. At first, Dr. Curtis Welch thought they had sore throats, but soon he realized it was a deadly disease called diphtheria. This disease made it hard for people to breathe and was spreading quickly.
Dr. Welch needed a special medicine called antitoxin to save the children, but the nearest supply was in Anchorage, 674 miles away. The only way to get the medicine to Nome was by using sled dog teams to travel across the snowy Iditarod Trail.
To save the children, a relay of 20 men and 150 dogs was organized to transport the medicine. Each team would cover a part of the journey. The first musher, “Wild Bill” Shannon, faced freezing temperatures and strong winds. Leonhard Seppala, who was very experienced, took on the most dangerous part of the journey.
Gunnar Kaasen, another musher, volunteered to help. He wasn’t a competitive racer, but he had a special bond with Balto, who was his lead dog. During their part of the journey, a terrible storm hit, making it impossible to see. Kaasen had to trust Balto to guide the team through the blizzard.
Despite the storm, Balto led the team bravely. At one point, the sled tipped over, and the medicine was scattered in the snow. Kaasen managed to find it and continued the journey. Thanks to Balto’s instincts and courage, they reached Nome just in time. Dr. Welch was able to give the medicine to the sick children, saving their lives.
After the successful delivery, Balto became a national hero. Newspapers across the country featured his story, and a statue was built in his honor in Central Park, New York City. People loved Balto, and he even appeared in a documentary film about the serum run.
However, not everyone was happy. Leonhard Seppala felt that his favorite dog, Togo, also deserved recognition. Togo had covered the longest and most dangerous part of the journey, but Balto received most of the attention.
After a year of touring, Balto was sold to a man who kept him in poor conditions. But in 1927, a man named George Kimble discovered Balto and raised money to rescue him. Balto was brought to Cleveland, where he was celebrated and given a new home at the zoo.
Balto lived happily in Cleveland for several years. When he passed away, he was honored with a display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Even though Seppala tried to promote Togo, Balto remained a beloved hero.
Balto’s bravery and the trust between him and Kaasen saved many lives during the epidemic. His story reminds us of the incredible bond between humans and animals and how teamwork can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Imagine you are a filmmaker tasked with creating a short film about Balto’s heroic journey. Create a storyboard with at least six panels that depict the key events of the story. Use drawings and captions to illustrate the scenes, focusing on the challenges Balto faced and his bravery. Share your storyboard with the class and explain why you chose those particular moments.
Design a medal to honor Balto and the other sled dogs for their bravery during the serum run. Think about the qualities that made Balto a hero and incorporate those into your design. Use symbols and colors that represent courage, teamwork, and perseverance. Present your medal design to the class and explain its significance.
Put yourself in the shoes of Gunnar Kaasen or Leonhard Seppala and write a diary entry from the perspective of one of these mushers. Describe the challenges you faced during the serum run and how you felt about Balto’s performance. Include your thoughts on the importance of teamwork and trust between you and your dogs.
Using a map of Alaska, trace the route taken by the sled dog teams during the Great Serum Run. Mark key locations such as Nome, Anchorage, and the Iditarod Trail. Calculate the total distance covered and discuss the geographical challenges the teams might have encountered. Present your map to the class and explain the significance of each marked location.
Organize a debate on whether Balto or Togo should be considered the true hero of the serum run. Divide the class into two groups, each representing one of the dogs. Research their contributions and present arguments to support your position. After the debate, discuss what qualities make someone a hero and how recognition should be shared among team members.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Balto the Siberian Husky is remembered for leading a team of sled dogs to deliver medicine that saved the town of Nome, Alaska, from a deadly epidemic. He became a national hero, and his photo was featured prominently in newspapers across the country. A statue was erected in his honor in Central Park in 1925, and it remains a beloved tourist attraction today. Many may have grown up watching the 1995 animated film by Universal Pictures, which may be the extent of their knowledge about Balto. However, the true story is far more dramatic than what is depicted in cartoons and children’s books.
**Life in Nome, Alaska**
Our story begins in the remote town of Nome, Alaska. In the 1890s, the Nome Gold Rush attracted prospectors hoping to strike it rich. With no paved roads, getting around was incredibly difficult, especially in winter. The residents of Nome formed a tight-knit community, helping one another survive in the harsh wilderness.
A Norwegian man named Leonhard Seppala owned a dog kennel in Nome and is credited with introducing Siberian Huskies to the United States. He decided to breed these dogs for a living, focusing on those that were light and fast. One of the puppies born in Seppala’s kennel was named Balto. He was born with brown eyes and black fur with white markings on his front legs. Due to his size, Balto was considered a “scrub dog” and was neutered, as he was deemed unsuitable for breeding.
Seppala rented out dogs that did not meet his standards to community members for sledding. In winter, dog sleds became essential for trading gold for supplies. Seppala made a fortune renting and selling his dogs. His favorite husky was Togo, known for his speed and strength.
A man named Gunnar Kaasen, who moved from Norway to Nome, rented Seppala’s dogs to transport supplies to miners. Although there is no record of why Kaasen chose Balto as his lead dog, it is believed he felt a connection with him.
**The Epidemic**
Nome was experiencing one of its coldest winters on record, with temperatures dropping to -50 degrees Fahrenheit and strong winds making travel nearly impossible. In December 1924, a record number of children visited the town’s only doctor, Curtis Welch. Initially, Dr. Welch thought the children had sore throats, but by January 1925, two children had died, leading him to realize it was a highly contagious disease called diphtheria.
The native children were particularly affected, as diphtheria was often referred to as a “white man’s disease.” The illness caused severe throat swelling, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. Dr. Welch quarantined the infected children, but the outbreak was already spreading.
On January 22, 1925, Dr. Welch sent telegrams to doctors across Alaska and even to Washington, D.C., requesting an antitoxin serum. However, delivery was complicated by severe weather conditions. The nearest city with the medicine was Anchorage, but the train stopped in Nenana, 674 miles away from Nome. The only option was to transport the serum by sled dog teams across the Iditarod Trail, a journey that typically took 15-20 days.
Alaska’s Territorial Governor approved a relay plan involving 20 men and 150 dogs to transport the medicine quickly. The first musher to pick up the antitoxin was “Wild Bill” Shannon, who faced extreme conditions during his leg of the journey.
Leonhard Seppala volunteered for the most dangerous part of the journey due to his experience. He was focused on speed and nearly missed picking up the serum when another musher called out to him.
As news of the epidemic spread, people across the United States began to hope and pray for the success of the serum run.
**Balto’s Journey**
Gunnar Kaasen, who had previously traveled the Iditarod Trail with Balto, volunteered to help retrieve the medicine. Unlike the other mushers, Kaasen was not a competitive racer; Balto was his pet and companion.
While on his leg of the journey, a terrible storm hit, causing a white-out. Kaasen could not see and had to stop for two hours, cuddling with Balto and the other dogs. He was aware that every minute counted for the children in the hospital, so he decided to move forward despite the conditions.
Trusting Balto’s instincts, Kaasen relied on him to guide the team. They faced challenges, including a strong wind that knocked over the sled and scattered the medicine. After a struggle, Kaasen found the serum and continued to the next checkpoint.
When they finally reached Nome, it was early morning, and Kaasen rushed to Dr. Welch, who was able to administer the medicine to the infected children, leading to their recovery.
**Hero Status**
After returning to Nome, Kaasen was contacted by journalists eager to hear his story. He remained humble, attributing much of the success to the other mushers and their dogs. Balto became a sensation, and Kaasen and Balto were invited to events, including a documentary film about their journey.
In December 1925, Balto was celebrated in New York City, where he was featured in a Vaudeville show and posed for a statue that honored the sled dogs involved in the serum run.
Despite the statue being intended to honor all the dogs, Balto received most of the attention, which caused jealousy among those who felt other dogs, particularly Togo, deserved recognition.
Seppala, Balto’s original owner, was frustrated that Balto was now representing the Siberian Husky breed, feeling that he and Togo deserved the spotlight.
After a year-long tour, Kaasen returned to Nome to find the community divided over who deserved recognition. Seppala decided to auction Balto, leading to his sale to a man who displayed him in a museum under poor conditions.
**Free Balto!**
In 1927, George Kimble from Cleveland discovered Balto in the museum and was horrified by his treatment. He campaigned to raise funds to buy Balto and his team, successfully rescuing them.
When Balto arrived in Cleveland, he was celebrated by a large crowd and given a proper home at the zoo, where he lived for several years.
As Balto aged and became ill, the community continued to care for him. When he passed away, he was honored with a taxidermy display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Despite Seppala’s efforts to promote Togo, Balto remained a beloved figure. Togo also had a successful life, but his remains were not preserved as well as Balto’s.
Ultimately, Balto’s bravery and the trust between him and Kaasen saved many lives during the epidemic, solidifying his status as a hero.
Years later, Kaasen reflected on his experience, stating that without Balto, he might not have survived.
Balto – Balto was a famous sled dog who helped deliver medicine to save people from a disease in Alaska. – Balto became a hero for leading his team through a snowstorm to deliver medicine to Nome.
Nome – Nome is a city in Alaska that was in urgent need of medicine during a disease outbreak in 1925. – The people of Nome were grateful when the sled dogs arrived with the medicine.
Alaska – Alaska is a large, cold state in the United States known for its snowy landscapes and wildlife. – The journey across Alaska was challenging due to the harsh winter conditions.
Disease – A disease is an illness that affects people or animals and can spread from one to another. – The disease in Nome was dangerous, and the medicine was needed quickly to save lives.
Medicine – Medicine is a substance used to treat or prevent illness and help people get better. – The sled dogs carried the medicine that was crucial for treating the sick children in Nome.
Sled – A sled is a vehicle used for traveling over snow, often pulled by dogs in snowy regions. – The sled was loaded with medicine and pulled by a team of strong dogs.
Dogs – Dogs are animals that can be trained to pull sleds and help humans in snowy areas. – The dogs worked hard as a team to pull the sled across the icy terrain.
Journey – A journey is a long trip from one place to another, often filled with challenges. – The journey to deliver the medicine was difficult, but the sled team persevered.
Hero – A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and brave actions. – Balto became a hero for his bravery in leading the sled team to Nome.
Teamwork – Teamwork is when people or animals work together to achieve a common goal. – The successful delivery of the medicine was a result of great teamwork between the dogs and their musher.
