1. May 17, 1884: The historic town of Skagway was founded on this day in southeastern Alaska. It quickly became a boomtown during the Klondike Gold Rush, as prospectors and miners flocked to the area in search of riches.

2. May 17, 1954: The groundbreaking ceremony for the Alaska Highway Pipeline took place on this day in Fairbanks. It was the beginning of a massive construction project that would eventually bring oil from Alaska's North Slope to the rest of the United States.

3. May 17, 1989: The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred on this day in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It was one of the worst environmental disasters in US history, with an estimated 10.8 million gallons of crude oil spilling into the sound and causing extensive damage to the ecosystem.

4. May 17, 2004: The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on this day. The annual 1,000-mile race from Anchorage to Nome is a celebrated event in Alaska and draws mushers and dog teams from around the world.

5. May 17, 2020: On this day, a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck the mainland of Alaska, causing some damage to infrastructure and startling residents in the area. While earthquakes are not uncommon in Alaska, the state is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.