1. In 1915, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition opened in Seattle, featuring exhibits and attractions focusing on the various cultures and resources of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

2. In 1947, a severe earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck the Aleutian Islands, causing widespread damage and generating a tsunami that reached as far as Hawaii.

3. In 1958, the United States Army Corps of Engineers began construction on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, a massive project that would eventually transport oil from the North Slope to Valdez for export.

4. In 1972, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon, providing for the settlement of land and financial claims made by Alaska Native tribes and corporations.

5. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, spilling over 11 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine waters and causing widespread ecological and economic damage.