1. In 1988, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This resulted in one of the worst oil spills in US history, devastating the local ecosystem and economy.

2. On December 16, 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake struck Alaska, the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America. The quake caused widespread destruction and generated a tsunami that devastated coastal towns.

3. In 1955, the small town of Hope, Alaska was destroyed by a massive avalanche on December 16. The avalanche, triggered by heavy snowfall, buried the town under 75 feet of snow and debris.

4. December 16, 1941 marked the start of the Battle of Wake Island, a small but significant battle in the early days of World War II. US Marines defended the island against a Japanese invasion force, but ultimately surrendered after two weeks of fighting.

5. On December 16, 1906, the first tramcar in Fairbanks, Alaska began operation, marking a significant development in the city's transportation infrastructure. The tramway was built to carry passengers and freight from the banks of the Chena River to the downtown area.