Today In History
5 Fun Facts About February 29 In Alaska History
1. In 1900, leap year overshadowed a major development in Alaska's transportation history. February 29 was officially the day of incorporation for the White Pass and Yukon Route, a railway that connected Skagway, Alaska, and Whitehorse, Yukon. 2. In 1940, February 29 was the day of the infamous Alaska-Siberia (ALSIB)...
5 Fun Facts About February 28 In Alaska History
1. In 1985, a fuel storage tank in Galena, Alaska was ruptured by the spring breakup of the Yukon River. Over 100,000 gallons of heating oil spilled, contaminating the area and threatening the health of nearby residents. 2. On February 28, 1942, the Alaska Highway was officially opened for military...
5 Fun Facts About February 27 In Alaska History
1. In 1982, a record high temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in Anchorage on February 27. This broke the previous record for the warmest February day in the city's history. 2. On February 27, 1934, the first commercial flight from Seattle to Juneau, Alaska was completed by Alaska...
5 Fun Facts About February 26 In Alaska History
1. In 1867, the US Congress approved the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million dollars. The deal was signed on March 30, but February 26 is often regarded as Alaska Day because it marks the date on which the Russian flag was lowered from the capital of Sitka,...
5 Fun Facts About February 25 In Alaska History
1. On February 25, 1952, a massive earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter Scale struck the city of Fairbanks, Alaska. It was the largest earthquake recorded in North American history at the time and caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure in the area. 2. In 1909, the first official...
5 Fun Facts About February 24 In Alaska History
1. In 1964, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America occurred on February 24th. The earthquake, known as the Great Alaska Earthquake, had a magnitude of 9.2 and caused tsunamis and widespread damage throughout Alaska. 2. On February 24, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince...
5 Fun Facts About February 23 In Alaska History
1. In 1917, the Alaska Territorial Legislature approved a bill allowing women to vote, making Alaska one of the first places in the United States to grant women suffrage. 2. On February 23, 1945, a magnitude 8.6 earthquake struck the Rat Islands in western Alaska, causing a tsunami that killed...
5 Fun Facts About February 21 In Alaska History
1) In 1968, the Good Friday earthquake, the second-largest earthquake ever recorded with a magnitude of 9.2, struck Alaska on February 21. The earthquake caused a massive tsunami that devastated coastal communities, killing 139 people and causing extensive damage. 2) On February 21, 1917, a group of striking copper miners...
5 Fun Facts About February 20 In Alaska History
1. On February 20, 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States of America. This followed a long process of negotiations and discussions between the federal government and Alaskan leaders. 2. In 1834, the Russian Orthodox Church established its first mission in Alaska, which marked the beginning...
5 Fun Facts About February 19 In Alaska History
1. On February 19, 1959, Alaska was formally admitted as the 49th state of the United States. This was the culmination of a lengthy campaign for statehood that had begun decades earlier. 2. February 19, 1997, marked the dedication of the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. The center is...
5 Fun Facts About February 18 In Alaska History
1. On February 18, 1867, the Russian Empire signed the Treaty of Saint Petersburg, officially transferring ownership of Alaska to the United States. The purchase, known as the Alaska Purchase, cost the US $7.2 million and sparked controversy at the time. 2. In 1953, on February 18th, a magnitude 7.3...
5 Fun Facts About February 17 In Alaska History
1. In 1867, the United States Congress passed the Alaska Purchase Act, officially transferring ownership of Alaska from Russia to the United States. This historic event took place on March 30, but February 17 served as an important date in the negotiations leading up to the sale. 2. On February...