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This Week In Alaska History: Japanese Forces Landed on Attu Island 6/7/1942
- Alaska Means Business
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 5
June 4: Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov Set Sail (1741)
On June 4, 1741, a landmark chapter in Alaska’s history began as Danish explorer Vitus Bering and Russian navigator Alexei Chirikov departed from Kamchatka on a voyage commissioned by the Russian Empire. Their expedition, part of the Second Kamchatka Expedition, led to the European discovery of Alaska. Bering’s sighting of the mainland and Chirikov’s exploration of the southeastern coast laid the groundwork for Russian colonization, fur trade, and eventual claims to the region. This bold journey into the unknown marked Alaska’s entry onto the global stage, setting off centuries of cultural and geopolitical shifts.
June 5: The Anchorage Times Hits the Presses (1915)
Fast forward to June 5, 1915, when The Anchorage Times published its first issue, a milestone for communication and community in the fledgling town of Anchorage. Born as a tent city at Ship Creek during the construction of the Alaska Railroad, Anchorage was still finding its footing. This newspaper became a vital voice, chronicling the growth of a settlement that would evolve into Alaska’s largest city. From local news to tales of the wild frontier, The Anchorage Times captured the pulse of a region on the cusp of transformation, reflecting the tenacity of early settlers.
June 6: Surveying the Railroad, Birthing Anchorage (1914)
On June 6, 1914, a government survey party landed at Ship Creek in Cook Inlet to begin mapping a railroad route to Fairbanks. This effort, part of the Alaska Railroad’s development, was no small feat in the rugged wilderness. The camp they established became the nucleus of Anchorage, a city that grew from a muddy outpost to a bustling hub. This moment symbolizes Alaska’s push toward modernization, connecting remote regions and fueling economic growth. The railroad’s legacy endures, a testament to human ambition in the face of untamed terrain.
June 7: Japanese Troops Land on Attu Island (1942)
One of Alaska’s darkest and most dramatic days unfolded on June 7, 1942, during World War II, when Japanese forces landed on Attu Island in the Aleutians. Unopposed by American troops, they captured the Aleut residents and a schoolteacher couple, marking the only enemy occupation of U.S. soil during the war. Part of the broader Aleutian Campaign, this invasion underscored Alaska’s strategic importance in the Pacific theater. The subsequent battle to reclaim Attu in 1943 was bloody, but June 7 remains a stark reminder of the state’s role in global conflict.
June 8: Michael Anthony Stepovich Sworn In (1957)
On June 8, 1957, Michael Anthony Stepovich took the oath in Juneau as the 15th and final appointed governor of the Territory of Alaska. His tenure came at a pivotal time, as the push for statehood gained momentum. Stepovich, a Fairbanks lawyer, championed Alaska’s case, helping pave the way for its admission as the 49th state on January 3, 1959. His swearing-in marked the end of an era of territorial governance and a step toward self-determination, a defining shift for Alaska’s identity and future.
June 9: Fire Devastates Farwest Fisheries Cannery (1947)
Disaster struck on June 9, 1947, when a $150,000 fire razed the Farwest Fisheries Company cannery in Wrangell. This blaze dealt a blow to Alaska’s fishing industry, a cornerstone of the region’s economy. Canneries like this one processed salmon and other seafood, sustaining coastal communities and fueling trade. The loss highlighted the vulnerability of Alaska’s early industries, yet the resilience of Wrangell’s people shone through as they rebuilt. This event underscores the grit and adaptability that define Alaska’s economic history.
June 10: Frederick Schwatka Explores the Yukon (1883)
On June 10, 1883, explorer Frederick Schwatka embarked over the Dyea Trail, launching an expedition to examine the Yukon River. His journey, one of the first detailed American explorations of the vast waterway, mapped uncharted territory and documented the land and its Indigenous peoples. Schwatka’s work fueled interest in the Yukon, setting the stage for the Klondike Gold Rush a decade later. This bold trek embodies Alaska’s legacy of exploration, revealing the wild beauty and potential of its interior.
