Alaska

Some of the key events about Alaska

• 1741

  The first European expedition reached Alaska, marking its discovery by the Western world
• 1867

  The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, expanding American territory
• 1867

  The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, initially viewed as a poor investment
• 1896

  Gold was discovered in the Klondike region, sparking the Alaska Gold Rush
• 1912

  Alaska became an organized incorporated territory of the United States
• 1912

  The massive Novarupta volcanic eruption devastated large areas of Alaska
• 1925

  A diphtheria epidemic threatened Nome, requiring a dangerous serum run by dog sled
• 1935

  The Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation established the Matanuska Valley Colony, promoting agricultural development
• 1942

  The Alaska Highway was completed, connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States
• 1942

  Japanese forces invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands during World War II
• 1958

  The U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped a nuclear bomb near Tuxedni Bay, though it didn't detonate
• 1959

  Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the United States
• 1964

  The Great Alaska Earthquake, the most powerful recorded in North American history, caused widespread destruction
• 1967

  A massive flood in Fairbanks caused extensive damage and displaced thousands
• 1968

  Oil was discovered at Prudhoe Bay, leading to economic growth and the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
• 1980

  The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was passed, protecting over 100 million acres of land
• 1989

  The Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground, spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound
• 2004

  Wildfires burned a record 6.6 million acres of Alaskan land
• 2015

  Denali, North America's highest peak, was officially renamed from Mount McKinley to its traditional Koyukon Athabascan name
• 2019

  Alaska experienced its hottest year on record, with severe impacts on wildlife and ecosystems

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.