1. On August 30, 1867, the United States officially took possession of Alaska from Russia in what became known as the Alaska Purchase. The U.S. paid $7.2 million for the territory, which was home to indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European exploration.

2. In 1918, a devastating wildfire broke out in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, burning over 300,000 acres and killing seven people. The fire was so intense that it created its own weather system, causing lightning and thunder.

3. On August 30, 1942, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Dutch Harbor on the island of Unalaska, making it the first U.S. soil to be bombed during World War II. Although the attack caused significant damage to facilities and equipment, it did not result in a major military victory for Japan.

4. The Alaska State Fair, which is now one of the largest state fairs in the United States, first opened its gates on August 30, 1936, in Palmer. The fair has since become a beloved annual tradition in Alaska, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

5. On August 30, 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. The act established a framework for resolving land disputes between the federal government and Alaska Native people, ultimately paving the way for the return of over 44 million acres of land to indigenous control. This historic legislation remains a significant moment in Alaska's history and in the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights across the United States.