1. In 1867, the United States officially took possession of Alaska from Russia in a ceremony in Sitka, marking the end of the Russian presence in North America.

2. On June 18, 1908, a massive volcanic eruption occurred in the Katmai region of Alaska, leaving behind the rugged landscape and signature ash deposits that are still visible today.

3. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Homestead Act, which allowed settlers to claim land in Alaska for free. This resulted in a wave of migration to Alaska and helped to shape the state’s population and culture.

4. The Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB), which advocates for the civil rights and cultural preservation of Alaska Natives, was founded on June 18, 1912, in Sitka. The ANB has played a major role in Alaska’s history and politics.

5. In 1982, the state of Alaska held a special election to decide whether or not to move the capital from Juneau to Willow, a small town in the interior. The proposal was rejected by voters, and Juneau remains the capital city.