Today In History
5 Fun Facts About November 20 In Alaska History
1. Alaska Native Brotherhood Founded: On November 20, 1912, the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) was founded in Sitka, Alaska. It was the first Native American civil-rights organization established in the United States. 2. Alaska Statehood Proclamation: On November 20, 1958, Alaska Governor Mike Stepovich signed the Alaska Statehood proclamation, formally...
5 Fun Facts About November 16 In Alaska History
1. In 1915, the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines (now the University of Alaska Fairbanks) was founded. Today, it is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska system and offers a wide range of educational programs. 2. On November 16, 1941, the Alaska Highway was dedicated. This...
5 Fun Facts About November 14 In Alaska History
1. In 1918, the first airplane flew over the Alaska Railroad. This marked a significant milestone in the development of transportation in Alaska. The plane was a Curtiss JN-4D, piloted by Major Grant. 2. In 1942, American troops landed on the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during World War II. The...
5 Fun Facts About November 12 In Alaska History
1. In 1954, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America occurred in Alaska. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3 and caused widespread damage and numerous landslides. 2. On November 12, 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was passed into law. The act created 13 regional Native corporations...
5 Fun Facts About November 9 In Alaska History
1. November 9, 1958: The first ballot initiative was passed in Alaska, paving the way for citizen-led initiatives and referendums in the state. 2. November 9, 1971: The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law. This historic legislation provided financial compensation and land grants to Alaska Native groups...
5 Fun Facts About November 4 In Alaska History
1. In 1946, a massive storm struck Alaska's Aleutian Islands on November 4th, causing widespread damage and resulting in the loss of 17 lives. 2. On November 4th, 1952, Alaska held its first statewide election after becoming a U.S. territory. This election saw Ernest Gruening elected as the first governor...
5 Fun Facts About October 29 In Alaska History
1. On October 29, 1880, the first brick building in Alaska was constructed in Sitka. The building still stands and is now a National Historic Landmark. 2. In 1905, on October 29, President Theodore Roosevelt established the Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska. It is the largest national forest in...
5 Fun Facts About October 27 In Alaska History
1. On October 27, 1867, the U.S. flag was raised in Sitka, Alaska, marking the official transfer of ownership from Russia to the United States in what became known as the Alaska Purchase. 2. In 1904, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition opened in Seattle, Washington, showcasing the resources and cultures of Alaska...
5 Fun Facts About October 25 In Alaska History
Here are five interesting facts about October 25 in Alaska history: 1. In 1854, the Russian Orthodox Church opened the first school in Sitka, Alaska, which also marked the beginning of formal education in the state. 2. In 1867, the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States was...
5 Fun Facts About October 20 In Alaska History
1. In 1885, the U.S. Signal Service established a weather station at Fort Yukon, which would eventually become the National Weather Service station for the area. 2. In 1947, the first commercial flight from Fairbanks to Seattle, Washington took off from Ladd Air Force Base. This marked a major development...
5 Fun Facts About October 12 In Alaska History
1. In 1741, Russian explorer Vitus Bering and his crew landed on Kayak Island in what is now Alaska, marking the first recorded European contact with the region. 2. On October 12, 1915, Alaska's first hydroelectric dam went online in Ketchikan, providing the town with a reliable source of electricity...
5 Fun Facts About October 7 In Alaska History
1. In 1867, the Alaska Treaty was signed, transferring the territory of Alaska from Russia to the United States. 2. In 1949, the University of Alaska Fairbanks was founded, originally as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines. 3. In 1958, the 7.7 magnitude Lituya Bay megatsunami occurred, which...