Today In History
5 Fun Facts About September 10 In Alaska History
1. On September 10, 1897, gold was discovered in nearby Bonanza Creek, leading to the Klondike Gold Rush. Thousands of prospectors rushed to Alaska in search of riches, ultimately changing the economic landscape of the state. 2. On September 10, 1910, the S.S. Cordova, a steamship bound for Anchorage, sank...
5 Fun Facts About September 9 In Alaska History
1. In 1915, the first public library in Alaska was established in Ketchikan on September 9th. It was named the Ketchikan Public Library and Reading Room and was created through the efforts of the Ketchikan Women's Club. 2. September 9, 1955, marked the opening of the Eielson Air Force Base...
5 Fun Facts About September 8 In Alaska History
1. On September 8, 1915, a major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck the Aleutian Islands, causing significant damage to the local infrastructure and displacing many residents. 2. September 8, 1944 marked the tragic crash of a USAAF B-24 Liberator bomber on Mount Gannett in Alaska, resulting in the...
5 Fun Facts About September 7 In Alaska History
1. On September 7, 1979, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Prince William Sound in Alaska, causing widespread destruction and the deaths of 13 people. The earthquake caused a massive tsunami that hit the coastal town of Valdez, completely destroying it. 2. On September 7, 2014, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred...
5 Fun Facts About September 6 In Alaska History
1. On September 6, 1917, the Alaska Territorial Legislature passed a bill to create the Alaska Road Commission. The commission was responsible for constructing and maintaining roads throughout the territory, a crucial step in the development of Alaska's transportation infrastructure. 2. September 6, 1954 marked the first commercial flight of...
5 Fun Facts About September 5 In Alaska History
1. The Alaska Gold Rush Began on September 5, 1896 On September 5, 1896, a man named George Carmack discovered gold in Rabbit Creek, which would later become known as Bonanza Creek, in the Yukon Territory of Canada. This discovery led to the Klondike Gold Rush, which drew thousands of...
5 Fun Facts About September 4 In Alaska History
1. On September 4th, 1979, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which spans 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, began operation. The pipeline carries crude oil from the North Slope to the southern coast of Alaska for shipment to refineries in the lower 48 states. 2. September 4th, 1889 marked the...
5 Fun Facts About September 2 In Alaska History
1. In 1945, the Japanese officially surrendered to the Allied Powers aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, ending World War II. This event is known as V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day) and took place on September 2. While this event did not directly impact Alaska, as it was...
5 Fun Facts About September 1 In Alaska History
1. The Alaska State Flag was officially adopted on September 1, 1959. The flag features eight gold stars, representing the Big Dipper constellation and the North Star, on a field of blue. 2. On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, sparking the beginning of World War II. This event...
5 Fun Facts About August 31 In Alaska History
1. On August 31, 1912, the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) was formed in Sitka, Alaska. This organization was established to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Alaska Natives, and it played a significant role in advocating for the statehood of Alaska. 2. In 1959, on August 31, Alaska...
5 Fun Facts About August 30 In Alaska History
1. On August 30, 1867, the United States officially took possession of Alaska from Russia in what became known as the Alaska Purchase. The U.S. paid $7.2 million for the territory, which was home to indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European exploration. 2. In 1918, a devastating wildfire...
5 Fun Facts About August 29 In Alaska History
1. On August 29, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established the Katmai National Monument in Alaska. The monument was created to protect the area surrounding the volcanic Mount Katmai and its neighboring Novarupta volcano, which erupted in 1912. 2. In 1958, the Alaska Statehood Act was signed on August 29 by...