When was Alaska admitted as the 49th state of the United States?
Alaska was admitted as the 49th state on the 3rd of January 1959. The area was incorporated as an organized territory on the 11th of May 1912 before achieving statehood.
Common questions about Alaska
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened during the Good Friday earthquake in Alaska on the 27th of March 1964?
The Good Friday earthquake occurred on the 27th of March 1964 at 5:36 p.m. with a moment magnitude of 9.2 and lasted 4 minutes and 38 seconds. The disaster killed 133 people and triggered massive tsunamis and landslides that destroyed villages and coastal communities.
When was the Alaska Permanent Fund established and how does it distribute money to residents?
Voters established the Alaska Permanent Fund in 1976 to manage surplus state petroleum revenues. Starting in 1982, dividends from the fund's annual growth have been paid out each year to eligible Alaskans, ranging from an initial $1,000 in 1982 to $3,269 in 2008.
Who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867?
William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson, negotiated the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire. The transfer ceremony took place on the 18th of October 1867, at Fort Sitka for $7.2 million.
What is the significance of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska?
The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill dumped more than 11 million gallons of crude oil over 1,300 miles of coastline in Prince William Sound. This environmental disaster highlighted the challenges of balancing economic development with conservation in Alaska.