1. In 1959, Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the United States on August 21. This day is now celebrated as Statehood Day in Alaska.

2. On August 21, 1918, a massive forest fire known as the "Katalla Fire" burned through southeastern Alaska. The fire was sparked by lightning and burned over 100,000 acres of land.

3. In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia on August 21 for $7.2 million. This purchase is known as the Alaska Purchase and was controversial at the time.

4. On August 21, 1968, the U.S. Air Force launched a spy satellite from Kodiak Island, Alaska. The satellite, known as KH-4B, was used to gather intelligence on the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

5. In 1940, the first commercial flight to Alaska landed in Anchorage on August 21. The flight was made by Northwest Airlines and marked the beginning of commercial air travel to the state.