1. On May 6, 1915, a large earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck near Anchorage, causing damage to several buildings and roads. This was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the area at the time.

2. May 6, 1886, saw the arrival of the first steamship to reach Nenana, Alaska, opening up the possibility for trade and transportation to the region.

3. American aviator and explorer, Wiley Post, and his navigator, Will Rogers, were killed in a plane crash on August 15, 1935, while traveling through Alaska with their aircraft. On May 6, 2007, a monument was erected in their honor at the crash site in the Alaskan wilderness.

4. On May 6, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state to join the United States of America. This was following a long period of discussion and debate over statehood.

5. May 6, 1971, marked the opening of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which is the largest pipeline in North America. It stretches for 800 miles across the state, from Prudhoe Bay in the North Slope to Valdez on the south coast.