1. In 1964, a 9.2 magnitude earthquake struck Alaska, known as the Great Alaska Earthquake. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America and caused widespread destruction throughout the state.

2. The Alaska State Fair begins on August 18 and runs until Labor Day. The fair features agriculture exhibits, carnival rides, concerts, and other entertainment.

3. In 1920, the first airplane to cross the Bering Strait landed in Nome, Alaska on August 18. The historic flight was made by pilots Wesley Smith and Bennett Griffin.

4. On August 18, 1918, the Alaska Territorial Guard was established to protect Alaska's coastline from potential threats during World War I. The Guard was made up of volunteer soldiers from Alaska Native villages.

5. The town of Chicken, Alaska was founded on August 18, 1903 during the Klondike Gold Rush. The town's name is said to stem from a mispronunciation of the local ptarmigan bird, which early prospectors mistook for chickens. Today, Chicken remains a popular tourist destination in Alaska.