Alaska
Alaska is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. It is in the Western United States region. The only other non-contiguous U.S. state is Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost state in the United States. It borders the Canadian territory of Yukon and the province of British Columbia to the east. It shares a western maritime border, in the Bering Strait, with Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The Chukchi and Beaufort Seas of the Arctic Ocean lie to the north, and the Pacific Ocean lies to the south. Technically, it is a semi-exclave of the U.S., and it is the largest exclave in the world.
Some of the key events about Alaska
- 1741The first European expedition reached Alaska, marking its discovery by the Western world
- 1867The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, expanding American territory
- 1867The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, initially viewed as a poor investment
- 1896Gold was discovered in the Klondike region, sparking the Alaska Gold Rush
- 1912Alaska became an organized incorporated territory of the United States
- 1912The massive Novarupta volcanic eruption devastated large areas of Alaska
- 1925A diphtheria epidemic threatened Nome, requiring a dangerous serum run by dog sled
- 1935The Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation established the Matanuska Valley Colony, promoting agricultural development
- 1942The Alaska Highway was completed, connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States
- 1942Japanese forces invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands during World War II
- 1958The U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped a nuclear bomb near Tuxedni Bay, though it didn't detonate
- 1959Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the United States
- 1964The Great Alaska Earthquake, the most powerful recorded in North American history, caused widespread destruction
- 1967A massive flood in Fairbanks caused extensive damage and displaced thousands
- 1968Oil was discovered at Prudhoe Bay, leading to economic growth and the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
- 1980The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was passed, protecting over 100 million acres of land
- 1989The Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground, spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound
- 2004Wildfires burned a record 6.6 million acres of Alaskan land
- 2015Denali, North America's highest peak, was officially renamed from Mount McKinley to its traditional Koyukon Athabascan name
- 2019Alaska 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.
Alaska Latest news
Popular
Great Smoky Mountains' Highest Peak Reclaims Cherokee Name
Diane Abbott's Memoir Reignites Labour Anti-Semitism Debate
UK Faces Surge in Sickness Benefits Claims, Straining Public Finances
Readers Debate Work-from-Home Policies and Public Services
Tragic Fall: 8-Year-Old Boy Dies in Nottingham Window Incident
Russian Military Maneuvers: From Alaska to the Black Sea
Recent Russian aircraft activity near Alaska and a missile attack in the Black Sea reveal Moscow's stretched resources. These events, seemingly unrelated, demonstrate the global nature of military strategy and resource allocation.
Greenland Megatsunami Causes Global Vibrations for Nine Days
A massive landslide in Greenland triggered a megatsunami in 2023, causing worldwide vibrations for nine days. Scientists link the event to climate change, highlighting interconnections between Earth's systems.