Today In History
5 Fun Facts About February 3 In Alaska History
1. In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state of the United States on February 3rd. The statehood of Alaska was a historic moment, as it marked the official end of Alaska as a territory and its transition into a state. 2. On February 3, 1945, U.S. Army troops landed on...
5 Fun Facts About February 2 In Alaska History
1. On February 2, 1941, the first lending library in Anchorage, Alaska was established. The library operated out of the Anchorage Women’s Club and was initially run by volunteers. Today, the Anchorage Public Library system boasts six branches and offers a variety of services to the community. 2. In 1950,...
5 Fun Facts About January 31 In Alaska History
Here are some historical events that took place on January 31 in Alaska. 1. In 1917, the United States Secretary of the Interior approved the creation of Alaska's first official state park, the Chugach National Forest. 2. In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces bombed Dutch Harbor on the...
5 Fun Facts About January 30 In Alaska History
1. In 1942, the US Army established Fort Richardson near Anchorage. The Army used the base to launch operations during World War II and the Cold War. Today, the base is home to several Army units and serves as a training ground for Alaska National Guard soldiers. 2. In 1959,...
5 Fun Facts About January 27 In Alaska History
1. On January 27, 1939, a record breaking snowstorm hit the town of Valdez, Alaska. Over five feet of snow fell in just 12 hours, causing severe damage to buildings and making transportation nearly impossible. The storm was one of the worst in the town's history. 2. In 1967, the...
5 Fun Facts About January 26 In Alaska History
1. Alaska became an official United States territory on January 26, 1868. The U.S. government purchased the land from Russia for $7.2 million dollars, or roughly two cents an acre. 2. In 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law on January 26. This law allowed for...
5 Fun Facts About January 25 In Alaska History
1. In 1949, the Glacial Earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 occurred in Southeast Alaska, causing the largest recorded landslide in North American history. The entire mountain slope plunged into Lituya Bay, creating a wave that reached a height of 1,720 feet and traveled over 5 miles inland. 2. In...
5 Fun Facts About January 24 In Alaska History
1. On January 24, 1956, the village of Eagle, Alaska experienced a bitter cold snap, with temperatures dropping as low as -72°F (-58°C). This was the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state, and one of the coldest temperatures recorded in North America. 2. On January 24, 1964, a massive...
5 Fun Facts About January 23 In Alaska History
1. On January 23, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state of the United States of America. It was the first new state admitted to the union since Hawaii joined in 1959. 2. In 1972, a massive earthquake that registered 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the region around Fairbanks, Alaska....
5 Fun Facts About January 22 In Alaska History
1. On January 22, 1957, the "Great Alaska Earthquake" with a magnitude of 8.6 struck the state. It is still the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America. 2. In 1898, gold was discovered in the Klondike, which led to the Klondike Gold Rush. Many prospectors passed through Alaska...
5 Fun Facts About January 19 In Alaska History
1. On January 19, 1968, the oil tanker SS Manhattan made history by becoming the first vessel to transit the Northwest Passage, a sea route that had eluded explorers and mariners for centuries. The Manhattan was escorted by icebreakers from the US and Canadian governments and demonstrated the growing interest...
5 Fun Facts About January 17 In Alaska History
1. In 1915, the Alaska Road Commission was officially established with the goal of improving transportation within the territory. This commission played a crucial role in the development of Alaska's infrastructure, particularly in the construction of roads and bridges. 2. On January 17, 1917, the United States Army Signal Corps...