1. On July 6, 1957, the first oil discovery was made on the North Slope of Alaska in what is now known as the Prudhoe Bay oilfield. This discovery led to a major boom in Alaska's oil industry and contributed greatly to the state's economy.

2. In 1984, on July 6, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was amended to allow for the creation of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. This corporation is owned by the Inupiat people of the North Slope and manages over 5 million acres of land in Alaska.

3. On July 6, 1918, the US Army Signal Corps established the first radio communication station in Alaska near Cordova. This station was an important link in the early days of aviation and helped to improve communication and safety in Alaska's harsh conditions.

4. The first salmon cannery in Alaska was established on July 6, 1878, by San Francisco entrepreneur Frederick W. Hastings. This marked the beginning of Alaska's thriving salmon canning industry, which has been a major part of the state's economy for over a century.

5. On July 6, 1958, the US Air Force launched a missile from Cape Lisburne in northern Alaska as part of the country's early missile defense program. This launch marked an important milestone in the development of missile technology and in Alaska's strategic importance during the Cold War.