1. On June 9, 1915, a massive eruption of the Katmai volcano on the Alaska Peninsula occurred, leaving behind the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. This event is considered one of the most significant geological events of the 20th century.

2. In 1958, the US Air Force established a top-secret base called Project Mogul near Barrow, Alaska, where they launched high-altitude balloons for spying on Soviet Union. The project was believed to be the cause of the infamous Roswell UFO incident.

3. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law on June 9, 1971, settling a land dispute between Alaska Natives and the US government that had lasted for centuries. The act allowed for the transfer of more than 40 million acres of land and over $1 billion to Alaskan Natives.

4. On June 9, 1984, the Iron Dog snowmobile race was first held in Alaska. The 2,031-mile (3,274 km) race is considered one of the toughest snowmobile races in the world, and attracts competitors from all over the globe.

5. In 2011, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin announced that she would not seek the Republican nomination for president in the upcoming election. The announcement was made on June 9, 2011, and put an end to months of speculation about Palin's political future.