1. On October 22, 1854, the first steamship arrived in Sitka, Alaska, revolutionizing transportation in the region. The steamship, named SS California, was owned by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and brought passengers and cargo from San Francisco.

2. In 1900, the first gold nugget was discovered in Nome, Alaska, on October 22 by a prospector named Jafet Lindberg. This discovery triggered a gold rush and thousands of people flocked to the area hoping to strike it rich.

3. On October 22, 1964, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2 struck Alaska, known as the Great Alaska Earthquake. The earthquake lasted for several minutes and caused massive destruction, including tsunamis that devastated coastal communities.

4. On October 22, 1972, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. This legislation granted land and monetary compensation to Alaska Native tribes who had been disenfranchised and displaced by the federal government.

5. In 2002, the Anchorage Museum of History and Art opened on October 22 after a three-year renovation and expansion project. The museum features exhibits on Alaska's history, art, culture, and environment, and is one of the largest museums in the state.