Today In History
5 Fun Facts About October 9 In Alaska History
1. In 1917, the first shipment of coal was sent from the newly established town of Chickaloon in the Matanuska Valley. 2. In 1942, a Japanese submarine bombarded the town of Dutch Harbor on the Aleutian Islands, killing nearly 50 people and causing significant damage. This was the first time...
5 Fun Facts About October 8 In Alaska History
1. On October 8, 1867, the United States formally took possession of Alaska from Russia. The purchase of Alaska, also known as Seward's Folly or Seward's Icebox, marked the end of Russian colonial presence in North America and expanded the territorial boundaries of the US. 2. In 1904, the first...
5 Fun Facts About October 5 In Alaska History
1. In 1955, the first commercial jet service to Alaska began on October 5th with a Pan American World Airways’ Boeing 377 Stratocruiser flying from Seattle to Anchorage. 2. In 1962, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the region of Fairbanks, Alaska, at 3:36 pm on October 5th, causing widespread damage...
5 Fun Facts About October 3 In Alaska History
1. In 1955, the 9.2 magnitude earthquake known as the Great Alaska earthquake struck the state on October 3. It is the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America and caused massive destruction and tsunamis. 2. In 1883, the United States Navy established a coaling station in Unalaska on October...
5 Fun Facts About October 2 In Alaska History
1. On October 2, 1867, the US flag was officially raised in Alaska, marking the transfer of the territory from Russian to American ownership. This event is now celebrated annually as Alaska Day. 2. In 1918, the largest recorded earthquake in Alaskan history occurred on October 2, measuring 8.3 on...
5 Fun Facts About October 1 In Alaska History
1. In 1942, American and Japanese forces engaged in a naval battle off the coast of Alaska. Known as the Battle of Cape Esperance, the engagement resulted in a strategic victory for the Americans. 2. On October 1, 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was signed into law...
5 Fun Facts About September 30 In Alaska History
1. In 1967, Alaska officially became a state of the United States on September 30th. This historic moment came after decades of efforts from Alaskan politicians and citizens to gain statehood status. 2. On September 30, 1927, aviator Charles Lindbergh landed his plane in Mendenhall Valley, Alaska. This was part...
5 Fun Facts About September 29 In Alaska History
1. On September 29, 2008, the Anchorage Daily News reported that a new study had determined that Alaska's melting glaciers were contributing more water to the ocean than previously estimated. The study, by scientists at the University of Alaska Southeast, found that Alaska's glaciers were losing 75 billion tons of...
5 Fun Facts About September 28 In Alaska History
1. In 1901, the famous sled dog Balto was born in Nome, Alaska. He would go on to lead his team on the final leg of the serum run to Nome in 1925, delivering life-saving medicine to the town during a diphtheria epidemic. 2. On September 28, 1955, the U.S....
5 Fun Facts About September 25 In Alaska History
1. In 1888, the Arctic-bound steamship Jeannette arrived in St. Michael, Alaska. The vessel was on a mission to explore the Arctic Ocean and became the first American ship to sail through Bering Strait. It was eventually trapped in ice and sank, but the crew survived. 2. On September 25,...
5 Fun Facts About September 24 In Alaska History
1. In 1896, prospector George Carmack found gold on Rabbit Creek in what is now known as the Klondike Gold Rush. This discovery led to a rush of prospectors to the area and played a significant role in Alaska's economy. 2. On September 24, 1964, Alaska was hit by a...
5 Fun Facts About September 23 In Alaska History
1. On September 23, 1969, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was approved by the U.S. government, allowing for the construction of a pipeline spanning over 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. This project would become one of the largest engineering feats in history and would significantly impact the Alaskan economy....