1. The Great Alaska Earthquake: On November 17, 1964, one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded human history, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale, struck Alaska. Known as the Great Alaska Earthquake, the earthquake lasted for four minutes and caused widespread destruction throughout the region, including tsunamis that killed more than 100 people.

2. Alaska Native Heritage Month: Since 1990, the month of November has been designated as Alaska Native Heritage Month, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and history of Alaska's 20 Indigenous tribes and languages, including the Tlingit, Haida, and Yup'ik people.

3. Trans-Alaska Pipeline System: On November 17, 1973, construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began, which would eventually become one of the largest oil pipeline systems in the world. The pipeline runs 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope to the port of Valdez, cost $8 billion to build, and transports approximately 25% of the United States' crude oil production.

4. Ernest Gruening: On November 17, 1935, Ernest Gruening was appointed as the Governor of the Alaska Territory, a position he held until 1953. Gruening was an ardent supporter of Alaska statehood and was instrumental in lobbying for its admission to the Union in 1959.

5. Alaska Veterans Day: On November 17, 2012, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell signed into law a bill designating November 10th as Alaska Veterans Day, honoring the more than 77,000 veterans who currently reside in the state. The date was chosen because November 10th marks the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.