1. In 1964, a massive earthquake struck Alaska's southern coast, measuring 9.2 on the Richter Scale, making it the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America. The earthquake triggered a deadly tsunami that took the lives of 117 people and caused widespread devastation across the state.
2. In 1970, the village of Tuluksak, located in western Alaska, was hit by a devastating fire that destroyed 17 homes and left over 150 people homeless. The fire was started accidentally by a child playing with matches.
3. In 1987, the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound. The oil tanker, owned by Exxon Corporation, struck a reef and spilled over 10 million gallons of crude oil into the waters of the Sound, causing one of the largest environmental disasters in United States history.
4. In 2015, Mount Redoubt, a volcano located on the west side of Cook Inlet, erupted twice in the early morning hours. The eruptions sent ash clouds over 30,000 feet into the air and caused significant disruption to air travel in the region.
5. In 2019, the Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill to designate the Alaskan malamute as the official state dog. The bill was introduced by Rep. David Eastman of Wasilla, citing the dog's historical and cultural significance to the state.