1. In 1879, the U.S. Signal Corps established a weather observation station in Sitka, Alaska. This was the first weather observation station in Alaska and marked the beginning of a long history of weather monitoring and forecasting in the state.

2. June 22, 1912 was a tragic day in Alaska's history. The SS Admiral Sampson, a passenger ship, collided with a rock off the coast of Douglas Island near Juneau. Despite efforts to save the passengers and crew, 87 people lost their lives in the disaster.

3. In 1927, the construction of the Alaska Railroad was completed with the driving of the "Golden Spike" in Nenana, Alaska. This railroad allowed for increased transportation and access to many remote areas of the state.

4. On June 22, 1944, the Alaska Highway was completed, connecting Alaska to the continental United States. This was a major engineering feat, as the highway spanned over 1,500 miles through rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions.

5. In 1977, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline began pumping oil from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Valdez, Alaska, marking the beginning of a new era for the state's economy. The pipeline is still in operation today, transporting millions of barrels of oil every year.