1. In 1862, the US government established a military post in Sitka, Alaska, naming it Fort Sitka. The post was dismantled in 1877, but its remnants can still be seen in Sitka National Historical Park.

2. In 1910, the US government established Glacier Bay National Monument by presidential proclamation. The monument was later expanded and redesignated as Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in 1980.

3. In 1932, aviator Amelia Earhart made history by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Her flight departed from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, and she landed in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Although this event did not happen in Alaska, Earhart had visited the state on several occasions and made significant contributions to aviation history.

4. In 1964, a massive earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale struck Alaska, causing widespread damage and loss of life. Known as the 1964 Alaska earthquake, it remains the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America. The quake triggered a series of tsunamis that caused even more destruction along the coast.

5. In 2008, a major fire broke out at the Delta Junction landfill in Alaska, burning for several days and prompting the evacuation of nearby residents. The fire was eventually extinguished by firefighters from multiple agencies, but it left behind significant environmental damage and cleanup costs.