Today In History
5 Fun Facts About May 14 In Alaska History
1. In 1913, the Alaska Native Brotherhood was founded in Sitka, Alaska. The organization was established to address issues faced by Alaska Natives, such as discrimination and lack of representation in government. 2. On May 14, 1934, an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale struck near Yakutat, Alaska. This...
5 Fun Facts About May 13 In Alaska History
1. On May 13, 1888, the first telegraph line in Alaska was completed between Sitka and Juneau. This allowed for faster communication and facilitated economic growth and development in the region. 2. May 13, 1913, marked the founding of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB), a civic organization dedicated to improving...
5 Fun Facts About May 12 In Alaska History
1. In 1868, a treaty was signed between the United States and Russia, formally transferring Alaska to US control. This marked the end of Russian colonial rule in Alaska, which had lasted for nearly a century. 2. In 1915, Mount Katmai, located on the Alaska Peninsula, erupted in one of...
5 Fun Facts About May 11 In Alaska History
1. In 1915, Mount Katmai in Alaska erupted, resulting in one of the largest recorded volcanic explosions in the 20th century. The eruption lasted for 60 hours, and the resulting ash cloud was seen as far away as Seattle, Washington. 2. On May 11, 1937, the Japanese submarine I-25 launched...
5 Fun Facts About May 10 In Alaska History
1. In 1869, the United States government established the first US Customs office in Sitka, Alaska on May 10th to regulate trade and commerce at the newly purchased Alaska Territory. 2. May 10, 1914, the Anchorage Daily Times was first published, becoming one of the longest-running newspapers in Alaska's history....
5 Fun Facts About May 9 In Alaska History
1) The Alaska Gold Rush officially began on May 9, 1887, when gold was discovered in the Yukon River. This discovery led to a mass migration of people hoping to strike it rich, and ultimately led to the statehood of Alaska in 1959. 2) On May 9, 1980, the eruption...
5 Fun Facts About May 8 In Alaska History
1. In 1945, Japan officially surrendered to the Allied forces, effectively ending World War II. While Alaska was not a major player in the war effort, the state did play a role in the Aleutian Islands Campaign, which saw American forces fighting against Japanese troops who had landed on various...
5 Fun Facts About May 7 In Alaska History
1. In 1867, the United States officially took control of Alaska from Russia, marking the end of the Alaska Purchase. May 7th is now celebrated as Alaska Day throughout the state. 2. In 1915, the SS Prinzessin Victoria Luise became the first cruise ship to sail to Alaska from the...
5 Fun Facts About May 6 In Alaska History
1. On May 6, 1915, a large earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck near Anchorage, causing damage to several buildings and roads. This was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the area at the time. 2. May 6, 1886, saw the arrival of the first steamship to reach...
5 Fun Facts About May 5 In Alaska History
1. In 1867, May 5 marked the day when the United States officially took possession of Alaska from Russia in a ceremony known as the Alaska Purchase. The purchase price was $7.2 million, or approximately two cents an acre. 2. On May 5, 1945, resident and WWII veteran Johnny Chance...
5 Fun Facts About May 4 In Alaska History
1. May 4, 1869, marked the arrival of the first U.S. Secretary of Alaska, William H. Seward, in the territory. Seward was responsible for negotiating the Alaska Purchase, which added the territory to the United States. 2. On May 4, 1916, the first airplane flight in Alaska took place. The...
5 Fun Facts About May 2 In Alaska History
1. On May 2, 1945, the first successful landing of an aircraft on a glacier occurred in Alaska. The plane, piloted by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O. Fletcher, landed on Colony Glacier to test the feasibility of using glaciers as runways for airplanes. 2. May 2, 1957, marked the...