Today In History
5 Fun Facts About December 21 In Alaska History
1. On December 21, 1905, the first public library in Alaska opened in the city of Sitka, with a collection of around 1,500 books. 2. In 1968, the newly constructed Trans-Alaska Pipeline began delivering oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, a journey of over 800 miles. The pipeline remains one...
5 Fun Facts About December 19 In Alaska History
1. In 1958, the first communication satellite, Project SCORE, was launched into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida. However, it was not until later that day that the satellite's message was received in Fairbanks, Alaska, marking the first time human voices had been transmitted via satellite. 2. In 1986, the fishing...
5 Fun Facts About December 18 In Alaska History
1. On December 18, 1867, the flag of the United States was raised in Sitka, officially marking the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States under the Alaska Purchase. 2. In 1915, a deadly earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the Cook Inlet region of Alaska....
5 Fun Facts About December 16 In Alaska History
1. In 1988, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This resulted in one of the worst oil spills in US history, devastating the local ecosystem and economy. 2. On December 16, 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake struck Alaska, the largest earthquake ever recorded in...
5 Fun Facts About December 10 In Alaska History
1. On December 10, 1833, Russian explorer Ivan Petrof discovered a thriving trade center on the Kenai Peninsula, which he named "Tyonek." The town remains a significant hub for trade and culture in the area. 2. In 1935, the Alaska Game Commission introduced the first moose to the Kodiak Island,...
5 Fun Facts About December 9 In Alaska History
1. On December 9, 1968, the world's largest earthquake occurred in Alaska, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale. Known as the Great Alaskan Earthquake or the Good Friday Earthquake, it caused massive destruction, tsunamis, and more than 140 deaths. 2. In 1983, the Alaska Legislature passed the Alaska National Interest...
5 Fun Facts About December 8 In Alaska History
1. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound off the coast of Alaska, causing one of the worst oil spills in American history. The spill released 11 million gallons of crude oil into the water, devastating local wildlife and the fishing industry. The cleanup effort took...
5 Fun Facts About December 5 In Alaska History
1. On December 5, 1955, Alaska's largest and longest earthquake occurred with a moment magnitude of 8.6. The earthquake caused a tsunami that reached Hawaii, Japan, and California, killing two people and causing extensive damage. 2. In 1859, the first recorded gold discovery in Alaska was made on December 5...
5 Fun Facts About December 4 In Alaska History
1. In 1922, a major earthquake shook parts of Alaska, including the city of Anchorage. The 7.3 magnitude quake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, including the Alaska Railroad. 2. On December 4, 1942, the Japanese Imperial Navy launched an attack on Dutch Harbor, located on the Aleutian Island...
5 Fun Facts About December 2 In Alaska History
1. On December 2, 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. The act granted indigenous groups title to over 44 million acres of land and provided nearly $1 billion in compensation. 2. In 1985, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck near Amchitka...
5 Fun Facts About November 28 In Alaska History
1. In 1943, the Alaska Highway, a major roadway connecting Alaska with the contiguous United States, opened to military use during World War II. The highway was later opened to civilian use in 1948, providing a vital link between Alaska and the rest of the country. 2. In 1975, the...
5 Fun Facts About November 25 In Alaska History
1. In 1912, the Alaska Engineering Commission completed the construction of the Railroad from Seward to Fairbanks, which helped to boost the economy of the state by facilitating easy transportation of goods and people. 2. In 1947, the Anchorage Museum officially opened to the public. The museum, which is still...