1. In 1943, the Alaska Highway, a major roadway connecting Alaska with the contiguous United States, opened to military use during World War II. The highway was later opened to civilian use in 1948, providing a vital link between Alaska and the rest of the country.
2. In 1975, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System began operations, transporting crude oil from Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope to Valdez, Alaska. The pipeline remains a significant part of Alaska's economy and has helped support the state's oil industry for decades.
3. On November 28, 2018, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck southeastern Alaska, causing significant damage to infrastructure and buildings in the region. Fortunately, there were no reports of fatalities or serious injuries.
4. In 2006, scientists at Alaska's Barrow Arctic Research Center announced that they had discovered traces of ancient salmon DNA in the sediment of a nearby lake, providing evidence of salmon populations in Alaska dating back millions of years.
5. On November 28, 1867, the United States formally took possession of Alaska from Russia in a ceremony held in Sitka. This event marked the beginning of the American era in Alaska's history and helped pave the way for the state's eventual statehood in 1959.