1. In 1867, the United States Congress passed the Alaska Purchase Act, officially transferring ownership of Alaska from Russia to the United States. This historic event took place on March 30, but February 17 served as an important date in the negotiations leading up to the sale.

2. On February 17, 1939, the village of Palmer, Alaska was devastated by a major fire that destroyed over 60 buildings and left many families homeless. Despite the loss, the community rallied together to rebuild and today, Palmer is a thriving municipality in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

3. In 1964, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2 struck Alaska, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The quake, which lasted several minutes and triggered a tsunami, is still considered one of the most powerful seismic events in recorded history. February 17, 1964 marked the beginning of a series of aftershocks that continued for months after the main event.

4. On February 17, 1986, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race began in Anchorage, Alaska. The annual event covers over 1,000 miles of difficult terrain across the state and is considered one of the most grueling and challenging sled dog races in the world.

5. In 1997, Alaska's McNeil River State Game Sanctuary reopened to the public after being closed for several years due to concerns about the impact of human visitors on the area's wildlife. The sanctuary is home to one of the largest concentrations of brown bears in the world and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.