Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 14 In Alaska History
1. In 1912, the first hydroelectric plant in Alaska began producing electricity in Juneau on August 14. The plant was capable of producing 2,300 horsepower and provided electricity to the city for over 70 years. 2. On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into...
5 Fun Facts About August 12 In Alaska History
1. In 1917, Alaska officially became a territory of the United States, as the Organic Act passed by Congress was signed into law on August 12 of that year. This act established a government for the territory and granted Alaskans more political representation. 2. In 1943, the construction of the...
5 Fun Facts About August 11 In Alaska History
1. On August 11, 1993, a record high temperature of 91°F (32.8°C) was recorded in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. This was a surprising and memorable event, as temperatures over 90°F are rare in Anchorage, which typically has mild summers. 2. On August 11, 1907, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition opened in Seattle,...
5 Fun Facts About August 10 In Alaska History
1. On August 10, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Alaska Highway Act, authorizing the construction of a military road connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States. 2. In 1968, on August 10, the village of Bethel became the site of one of the largest and most violent protests...
5 Fun Facts About August 9 In Alaska History
1. In 1995, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the first Russian Orthodox missionaries to Alaska. On August 9th of that year, a special religious service was held in Sitka to commemorate the occasion. 2. On August 9, 1977, the Tlingit-Haida Central Council held...
5 Fun Facts About August 8 In Alaska History
1. On August 8, 1951, the first commercial salmon cannery in Alaska officially closed down. The North Pacific Packers cannery had operated for nearly four decades in Bristol Bay, processing millions of salmon during that time. 2. In 1962, on August 8th, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Fairbanks, causing...
5 Fun Facts About August 7 In Alaska History
1. On August 7, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state in the United States of America after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act into law. This act enabled Alaska to gain statehood and became an essential part of the country. 2. The Iditarod National Historic Trail, a...
5 Fun Facts About August 6 In Alaska History
1. In 1955, the village of Chenega in Prince William Sound experienced a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The entire village was destroyed and 23 out of the 75 residents lost their lives. 2. On August 6, 1908, the first mail plane to fly in Alaska took off from Fairbanks...
5 Fun Facts About August 5 In Alaska History
1. In 1908, the first U.S. post office was established in Nome, Alaska. This was a significant event because it helped improve communication and commerce flow in the remote region. 2. On August 5, 1922, a volcanic eruption occurred on Alaska's Katmai Peninsula. The eruption was one of the largest...
5 Fun Facts About August 4 In Alaska History
1. In 1917, the United States Congress passed the Organic Act, creating the Territory of Alaska. Prior to its passage, Alaska was considered a district of the Department of Alaska. 2. On August 4, 1943, the Aleutian Islands became the site of one of the longest, bloodiest, and most forgotten...
5 Fun Facts About August 3 In Alaska History
1. On August 3, 1912, the Mount Katmai volcano erupted, sending ash and steam up to 100,000 feet in the air. The eruption lasted for 60 hours and is considered one of the largest volcanic events of the 20th century. 2. August 3, 1958, marked the first day of the...
5 Fun Facts About August 2 In Alaska History
1) In 1904, the first sourdough mining camp meeting was held in Fairbanks, Alaska, establishing a tradition of spiritual gatherings that continue to this day. 2) On August 2, 1945, the Japanese city of Hiroshima was bombed with an atomic bomb, an event that ultimately spurred the end of World...