1. On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers successfully made the first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Although this significant event did not take place in Alaska, it paved the way for aviation, which would later play an important role in the state's history.

2. In 1923, the Alaska Game Commission was established on December 17th, with the aim of conserving wildlife and regulating hunting and fishing in the state. Today, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game continues to manage and protect Alaska's fish and wildlife resources.

3. On December 17, 1943, the U.S. government announced that Alaska was no longer a military zone, marking the end of World War II's intense military presence in the state. This allowed civilians to return to their homes and businesses and start rebuilding communities.

4. In 1986, the Alaska State Troopers arrested notorious serial killer Robert Hansen on December 17th. Hansen, who had been active in Alaska for over a decade, was convicted of murdering 17 women and sentenced to 461 years in prison.

5. December 17, 2015, marked the 10th anniversary of the start of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which delivers crude oil from Prudhoe Bay in Northern Alaska to the port of Valdez on the southern coast. The pipeline has played a significant role in Alaska's economy and contributed significantly to the state's overall revenue.