1. Alaska officially became a state on January 3, 1959, after being a territory for over 50 years. However, the first governor of Alaska, William A. Egan, was inaugurated on January 1, 1959. Egan went on to serve as governor for a total of 12 years.

2. January 1, 1986, marked the first day of prohibition in Alaska, making it the first state since the repeal of national prohibition in 1933 to reinstate a statewide ban on alcohol sales. This ban only lasted for a few months, however, as it was quickly repealed by the Alaska State Legislature.

3. On January 1, 1975, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System began pumping oil from Prudhoe Bay to the port of Valdez, effectively starting the largest pipeline construction project in history. The pipeline spans over 800 miles and was completed in 1977 at a cost of over $8 billion.

4. On January 1, 1942, the Aleutian Islands, which are a chain of islands in southwestern Alaska, were invaded by Japanese forces during World War II. This invasion resulted in the Battle of the Aleutian Islands, which lasted until August 1943 and was the only World War II battle to be fought on American soil.

5. January 1, 1915, saw the opening of the Anchorage Hotel, which was the first major hotel in Anchorage and served as an important hub for local business and tourism for many years. The hotel was eventually demolished in the 1960s to make way for a modern high-rise building now known as the Hotel Captain Cook.