1. Alaska became a U.S. territory on December 12, 1912.
On this day in history, President William Howard Taft signed the Second Organic Act, officially making Alaska a U.S. territory. This act granted Alaska an elected legislature and expanded the governorship’s powers.

2. The Good Friday Earthquake shook Alaska on December 12, 1964.
One of the most devastating earthquakes in U.S. history occurred on this day in 1964. The Good Friday Earthquake measured 9.2 on the Richter scale and caused landslides, tsunamis, and other natural disasters. It was the second-largest earthquake ever recorded worldwide.

3. Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed on December 12, 2000.
Tragically, one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Alaska history occurred on this day in 2000. Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, killing all 88 passengers and crew members on board.

4. The supermoon occurred on December 12, 2016.
A rare astronomical event happened on December 12, 2016, when the moon was at its closest point to the Earth in 70 years. This type of moon is called a supermoon, and it appears larger and brighter than usual.

5. Barrow changed its name to Utqiaġvik on December 12, 2016.
The Inupiaq Eskimo village of Barrow, the northernmost city in Alaska, changed its name to Utqiaġvik on December 12, 2016. This change was part of a decades-long effort to reclaim traditional Native names and languages.