1. In 1940, the construction of the Alaska Highway began in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The highway would stretch over 1,500 miles and connect Alaska to the contiguous United States, opening up new opportunities for transportation and commerce.
2. In 1942, the Japanese occupied Attu Island, the westernmost point in the Aleutian Island chain. This marked the first invasion of American soil since the War of 1812.
3. In 1968, the Nushagak-Mulchatna caribou herd reached its peak population of over 400,000 animals. The herd, which migrates across southwestern Alaska, is now estimated to be around 20,000.
4. In 1995, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near the town of Willow, causing extensive damage and knocking out power to much of southcentral Alaska. Despite the severity of the quake, there were no fatalities.
5. In 2020, the Pebble Mine project was denied a permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The proposed mine, located in the Bristol Bay region, had been a controversial topic for years due to concerns over its potential impact on the salmon fishery in the area.