1. In 1958, the first communication satellite, Project SCORE, was launched into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida. However, it was not until later that day that the satellite's message was received in Fairbanks, Alaska, marking the first time human voices had been transmitted via satellite.

2. In 1986, the fishing vessel Challenger sank off the coast of Alaska, claiming the lives of all 5 crew members. The tragedy led to increased safety regulations in the Alaskan fishing industry.

3. In 1992, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground and spilled over 11 million gallons of crude oil into the waters of Prince William Sound. The disaster caused widespread environmental damage and had lasting effects on the Alaskan economy and ecosystem.

4. In 2018, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Anchorage, Alaska, causing widespread damage and power outages. Despite the severity of the quake, there were no reported fatalities.

5. In 2019, Alaska officially became the first US state to legalize cannabis cafes, where patrons can consume marijuana on-site. The move was seen as a major step forward for the state's burgeoning cannabis industry.