1. On March 24, 1964, Alaska experienced the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale. The earthquake triggered tsunamis as high as 67 meters and caused widespread destruction and loss of life throughout the state.

2. On March 24, 1867, United States Secretary of State William H. Seward signed the Alaska Purchase Treaty, formally transferring control of Alaska from Russia to the United States. The treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate on April 9, 1867.

3. On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, causing one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. The spill released more than 11 million gallons of crude oil into the sound, devastating wildlife and the local economy.

4. On March 24, 1976, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System began pumping oil from the Prudhoe Bay oil fields to the port of Valdez. The pipeline spans nearly 800 miles and is one of the largest pipelines in the world.

5. On March 24, 1933, the first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was held in Alaska. The race commemorates the famous 1925 serum run to Nome, in which dog sled teams delivered life-saving serum to fight a diphtheria outbreak. Today, the Iditarod is one of the most famous sled dog races in the world, covering over 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome.