1. In 1960, a devastating earthquake, known as the Great Alaska Earthquake, struck Alaska on May 22. With a magnitude of 9.2, it remains the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America and the second-strongest earthquake recorded in the world.

2. May 22, 1969, marked the opening of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, a 800-mile pipeline that transports crude oil from Alaska's North Slope to the coast. The pipeline remains a vital part of Alaska's economy and has generated billions of dollars in revenue for the state since its opening.

3. In 1913, the first airplane flight in Alaska took place on May 22 when aviator James Martin flew his biplane from Fairbanks to a nearby mining camp. The flight was an important milestone in Alaska's aviation history and paved the way for future air transportation in the state.

4. On May 22, 1958, the Alaska Statehood Act was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, paving the way for Alaska to become the 49th state of the United States later that year. Statehood was an important moment in Alaska's history and brought with it new opportunities and challenges for the state and its residents.

5. May 22, 1979, marked the opening of the Alyeska Resort, a world-renowned ski destination located in Girdwood, Alaska. The resort offers some of the best skiing in North America, with over 1,600 skiable acres and an average annual snowfall of 631 inches.