1. In 1964, a massive earthquake, known as the Good Friday earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.2 struck Alaska on April 3. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America and lasted for more than four minutes.

2. On April 3, 1985, Alaska Airlines Flight 121 crashed just after takeoff from Sitka, Alaska, killing all 111 passengers and crew onboard. The cause of the crash was found to be a malfunctioning autopilot system.

3. The first official Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race started on April 3, 1973. The race covers over 1,000 miles of remote Alaskan wilderness and is considered one of the toughest sled dog races in the world.

4. On April 3, 1867, the Russian-American Company sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million. The acquisition of Alaska, known as "Seward's Folly" at the time, was highly controversial, but it ultimately proved to be a wise investment for the U.S.

5. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The spill, which was caused by the grounding of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker, released 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean and caused extensive damage to the local ecosystem. The spill has been described as one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.