1. On July 19, 1909, the S.S. Georgia, a steamship carrying nearly 300 passengers and crew, sank in the Lynn Canal near Juneau after colliding with the S.S. Spokane. Miraculously, no one was killed in the accident.

2. In 1943, construction of the Alaska Highway was completed, connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States via a network of roads and bridges spanning over 1,500 miles. The highway was instrumental in the transportation of troops and supplies during World War II.

3. On July 19, 1957, a magnitude 8.6 earthquake struck the Aleutian Islands, triggering a large tsunami that caused widespread damage across Alaska and Hawaii. The tsunami caused the loss of several lives and destroyed numerous structures.

4. In 1960, the first Arctic gas was shipped from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope, marking the beginning of a new era for Alaska's oil and gas industry. The discovery of vast oil and gas reserves in Alaska has since transformed the state's economy.

5. On July 19, 1980, the notorious Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington State erupted, spewing ash and lava over a wide area and causing significant damage to nearby communities. The eruption was felt as far as Alaska and had a major impact on air travel in the region.