December 19 In 1962, a fire caused approximately $300,000 in damage at the Cape Lisburne Air Force Station December 20 In 1920, the steamship SS Dora—a longtime mail vessel serving Alaska routes—wrecked in Hardy Bay. December 21 In 1906, the first message was transmitted via submarine cable between Juneau and Wrangell. December 22 In 1919, a fire destroyed the trading store operated by the Sons of Norway in Petersburg. December 23 In 1946, the Auke Bay post office near Juneau

December 12, 1957: The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis steamed into Juneau Harbor December 13, 1883: Flames ravaged the historic Custom House in Sitka December 14, 1940: A ferocious blaze consumed the Valdez Federal Building December 15, 1950: Frank A. Boyle, Alaska's steadfast Territorial Auditor who meticulously tracked the coffers through post-war booms and budget crunches, passed away December 16, 1871: George A. Edes stepped into history as the first Collector of Customs

As we wrap up November and ease into December, Alaska's past continues to reveal tales of resilience, exploration, and transformation. From groundbreaking policy shifts to pioneering expeditions, here are distinct historic facts for each day—spotlighting events that shaped the Last Frontier in unique ways. November 29 1953: The Alaska Native Medical Center officially opened its doors in Anchorage  on a 21.4-acre site along Third Avenue. Financed by a federal grant and local b

This Week in Alaska History: November 21–28 November 21, 1993 Chief Walter Northway Passes Away at Age 117 November 22, 1964 Major Aftershock from the Great Alaska Earthquake November 23, 1903 Fairbanks’ First Community Thanksgiving November 24, 1947 Freighter Clarksdale Victory Wrecked on Hippa Island November 25, 1955 Alaska Constitutional Convention Continues Work November 26, 1867 First Bill to Organize Alaska as a Territory Introduced in Congress November 27, 1886 Murder

This Week in Alaska History:October 28 – November 6 This interval unearths narratives of engineered lifelines, postal frontiers, sacred foundations, bridged transitions, fiscal inaugurations, civic births, seismic tempests, juridical anchors, aerial baptisms, and thermonuclear echoes—mirroring Alaska's chronicle of connectivity, settlement, sanctity, linkage, revenue, community, upheaval, order, innovation, and veiled might across its vast, whispering wilds.

October 21 – October 27 This stretch of October reveals stories of journalistic milestones, fraternal foundations, academic leadership, cultural preservations, monumental designations, gubernatorial legacies, and exploratory farewells—illuminating Alaska's enduring spirit of innovation, community, and connection to its vast, untamed frontiers.

October 13, 1960: Alaska Methodist University was dedicated in Anchorage October 14, 1865: Renowned Alaska artist Sydney Laurence was born in Brooklyn October 15, 1957: The U.S. Forest Service handed a massive contract to the Alaska Lumber & Pulp Company in Sitka October 16, 1929: Flames engulfed Wrangell's Presbyterian Church October 17, 1873: Thomas Riggs, destined to serve as Alaska's ninth governor from 1918 to 1921 October 18, 1867: In Sitka, the formal handover ceremony

October 6, 1869 – The Fort Wrangell post office opened its doors, a small but symbolic step in U.S. administration of the newly acquired territory. Wrangell, a hub for Tlingit trade and early forts, became a key stop on the Inside Passage mail routes.

This Week in Alaska History: September 29 – October 5 - Walter Hickle Greenlights Pipeline

This Week In Alaska History: Emperor Hirohito Visits AK - Katmai Monument Established - Fairbanks Library Milestone September 22, 1898: "Three Lucky Swedes" Strike Gold at Nome September 23, 1917: Pioneer Hall Opens in Fairbanks with a Potlatch Celebration Image of Pioneer Hall in Fairbanks September 24, 1918: President Wilson Designates Katmai National Monument September 25, 1932: Merrill Field Beacon Dedicated in Anchorage September 26, 1971: Emperor Hirohito's Historic Vi

This Week in Alaska History: September 15–21 - September 15, 1985: Northern Lights Become More Visible as Season Shifts September 16, 1908: Founding of the Alaska Road Commission September 17, 1902: Felix Pedro Strikes Gold in Fairbanks September 18, 1943: Aleutian Islands Campaign Progresses September 19, 1975: Anchorage and Borough Unify September 20, 1880: Gold Discovered in Juneau September 21, 1942: Alaska Highway Officially Opens

September 8, 1906: Alaska’s Capital Moves from Sitka to Juneau September 9, 1947: Devastating Fire in Valdez September 10, 1898: Nome Gold Rush Ignites September 11, 1958: Death of Robert W. Service September 12, 1918: SS Princess Sophia’s Final Preparations September 13, 1955: Alaska Constitutional Convention Delegates Elected September 14, 1741: Vitus Bering’s Exploration of Alaska’s Coastline

August 30, 1918: Death of Father William Duncan (Metlakatla) August 31, 1953: Ted Stevens Appointed U.S. District Attorney (Fairbanks) September 1, 1906: Roald Amundsen Reaches Nome (Nome) September 2, 1935: Opening of the First Juneau-Douglas Bridge (Juneau) September 3, 1941: Activation of Army Post at Nome (Nome) September 4, 1794: Launch of the Phoenix Ship (Resurrection Bay) September 5, 1881: Alaska's First Election Held

August 23, 1902: Mount Katmai Eruption Observed August 24, 1888: First Protestant Church in Sitka Demolished August 25, 1942: Construction of the Alaska Highway Nears Completion (Delta Junction) August 26, 1918: Spanish Flu Reaches Alaska (Ketchikan) August 27, 1922: First Radio Broadcast in Alaska (Anchorage) August 28, 1903: Founding of Seward Celebrated August 29, 1970: University of Alaska Fairbanks Opens New Geophysical Institute

August 16, 1920: First Airplane Overflight in Juneau August 17, 1826: Alexander Andreyevich Baranov DiesAugust 18, 1913: Alaska Territorial Legislature Grants Women Voting Rights August 19, 1935: Territorial Legislator Alton C. Nordale Dies in Plane Crash (Near Healy River) August 20, 1953: First Televisions Displayed in Fairbanks (Fairbanks) August 21, 1922: Fire Destroys Post Office and Buildings in Haines August 22, 1794: Captain George Vancouver Ends Alaska Surveys (Baran

August 8, 1953: Fairbanks International Airport Opens August 9, 1867: U.S. Takes Possession of Alaska (Sitka) August 10, 1900: Skagway Incorporated as Alaska’s First City August 11, 1965: Alaska’s First State Ferry System Begins Operations August 12, 1985: Red Dog Mine Begins Operations August 13, 1935: Will Rogers and Wiley Post Die in Plane Crash (Utqiaġvik) August 14, 1971: Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Implementation Begins August 15, 1958: USS Nautilus Transits

August 1, 1959: Alaska’s First State Legislature Convenes August 2, 1958: Construction Begins on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System August 3, 1908: First Automobile Arrives in Fairbanks August 4, 1899: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway Opens (Skagway) August 5, 1975: Exxon Begins Exploratory Drilling in Prudhoe Bay August 6, 1886: First Recorded Eruption of Mount Redoubt August 7, 1944: President Roosevelt Fishes on Kodiak Island

This Week in Alaska History: 7/26-8/1: The Earth Shakes & Gold Fever Spreads From Nome To Skagway July 26, 1943: U.S. Forces Intensify Aleutian Campaign Against Japanese Occupation - July 27, 1897: Bonanza Creek Gold Find Ignites Rush to Skagway - July 28, 1900: Nome Gold Rush Peaks with Anvil Creek Boom- July 29, 2021: Chignik Earthquake Shakes Alaska Peninsula - July 30, 1868: Fort Wrangell Established to Secure U.S. Control - July 31, 2007: Earthquake Swarm Rattles Northe

July 19, 1917: Steam Whaling Vessel Tanginak Attacked by Whale July 20, 1897: Carl Ben Eielson, Pioneer Aviator, Born July 23, 1906: First Wireless Telegraph Station Established in Alaska July 25, 1910: First Ascent of Denali’s North Peak

July 12, 1741: Russian Explorer Aleksei Chirikov Sights Alaskan Mainland at Baker Island July 13, 1921: Scott C. Bone Assumes Role as Alaska’s Tenth Governor in Juneau July 14, 1804: Russian Ship Neva Arrives at Kodiak, Marking Global Voyage Milestone July 15, 1923: President Warren G. Harding Drives Golden Spike at Nenana, Completing Alaska Railroad July 16, 1786: British Ships King George and Queen Charlotte Arrive at Cook Inlet