History of Alaska in Timeline
Alaska, a non-contiguous U.S. state, is located in the northwest extremity of North America. It's the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost state due to its Aleutian Islands crossing the 180th meridian. Alaska borders Canada's Yukon Territory and British Columbia to the east and shares a maritime border with Russia across the Bering Strait. The Arctic Ocean lies to its north, and the Pacific Ocean to its south. As the largest exclave globally, Alaska is a unique part of the Western United States.
1900: Alaskan Cities Gain Incorporation Rights
In 1900, Alaskan communities were granted the legal right to incorporate as cities, marking a key step in the development of local governance in the territory.
1906: Capital Moved to Juneau
In 1906, the capital of Alaska was moved from Sitka to Juneau.
1906: White Fang Novel Published
Jack London's novel "White Fang" was published in 1906.
May 11, 1912: Alaska Becomes a Territory
On May 11, 1912, after several administrative changes, Alaska officially became an organized territory of the United States.
1912: Alaska as an Organized Territory
In 1912, Alaska officially became an organized territory, and the capital was moved from Sitka to Juneau.
June 27, 1915: Record High Temperature
Alaska's highest recorded temperature of 100 °F (38 °C) occurred in Fort Yukon (near the Arctic Circle) on June 27, 1915, tying Alaska with Hawaii for the lowest state high temperature in the U.S.
1915: Alaska Railroad Built
Built around 1915, the Alaska Railroad (ARR) played a crucial role in Alaska's 20th-century development, linking North Pacific shipping lanes with Interior Alaska. The areas served by the ARR became known as "The Railbelt."
1920: End of Gold Rush Era
By 1920, Alaska had produced a cumulative total of over $460,000,000 in mineral production during the gold rush era, which had begun in the 1890s.
1925: Serum Run to Nome
In 1925, a critical serum run to Nome by dogsled delivered much-needed medicine to the diphtheria-stricken community when all other transportation methods failed. This event is commemorated by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
1941: Alaska State Troopers Officially Organized
The Alaska State Troopers, Alaska's statewide police force, were officially organized in 1941. Before this, law enforcement in Alaska was handled by various federal agencies.
1946: Territorial Referendum on Statehood
In 1946, a territorial referendum in Alaska marked the beginning of a significant push for statehood.
1955: Alaska's State Song Adopted
In 1955, "Alaska's Flag" was officially adopted as the state song, celebrating the state's flag.
July 7, 1958: Congress Approves Alaska Statehood
On July 7, 1958, the U.S. Congress officially approved Alaska's statehood, paving the way for it to become the 49th state.
January 3, 1959: Alaska Achieves Statehood
On January 3, 1959, Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the United States, culminating a long process of territorial development and political advocacy.
1959: Home Rule Expanded with Statehood
With Alaska achieving statehood in 1959, cities in Alaska gained greater autonomy through the expansion of home rule provisions.
1960: Racial Demographics
The 1960 U.S. Census reported Alaska as 77.2% White, 3% Black, and 18.8% American Indian and Alaska Native.
1960: Close Presidential Election
The 1960 presidential election in Alaska was a close contest.
1963: Alaska Marine Highway System Completion
The completion of the Alaska Marine Highway System in 1963 significantly improved accessibility to the state, boosting the growing tourism industry.
March 27, 1964: Good Friday Earthquake
On March 27, 1964, the Good Friday earthquake, the fourth most powerful in recorded history, struck Alaska, causing widespread devastation and loss of life, primarily due to tsunamis and landslides.
May 8, 1964: Earthquake Assessment Report
On May 8, 1964, shortly after the devastating Good Friday earthquake, the Engineering and Geological Evaluation Group released a report assessing the damage to Anchorage and proposing recommendations for safe rebuilding.
1964: Johnson Wins Alaska
In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson won Alaska's electoral votes, the only time a Democratic presidential candidate has done so since statehood.
1968: Oil Discovery at Prudhoe Bay
In 1968, the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay marked a turning point in Alaska's history, laying the foundation for the oil boom and subsequent economic growth.
1968: Close Presidential Election
The 1968 presidential election in Alaska was a close contest.
1969: Proposal for the Alaska Permanent Fund
In 1969, Governor Keith Miller initially proposed the Alaska Permanent Fund on the eve of the Prudhoe Bay lease sale. This proposal stemmed from concerns that the legislature might spend the entire $900 million proceeds from the sale at once.
January 23, 1971: Record Low Temperature
On January 23, 1971, Prospect Creek, Alaska, experienced the state's lowest official temperature of -80 °F (-62 °C), just one degree warmer than North America's record low in Snag, Yukon, Canada.
1971: Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
In 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was enacted, leading to the creation of 12 regional and numerous local Native corporations which own 44 million acres (18 million hectares) of Alaskan land.
1972: Start of Republican Dominance
Since 1972, Republicans have consistently won Alaska in presidential elections by large margins.
1972: Last Democrat in House Seat
Prior to Mary Peltola's win in 2022, the last Democrat to hold Alaska's U.S. House seat was in 1972.
1973: Don Young's Long Tenure Begins
Don Young began his 49-year tenure as Alaska's sole U.S. House representative in 1973.
1975: Anchorage Municipal Merger
In 1975, the city government of Anchorage merged with the Greater Anchorage Area Borough, creating the Municipality of Anchorage. This municipality encompassed Anchorage and surrounding communities like Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek, Girdwood, Bird, and Indian.
1976: Alaska Permanent Fund Established
In 1976, Alaskan voters approved the creation of the Alaska Permanent Fund, a constitutionally authorized appropriation of oil revenues. This fund was designed to manage the surplus from oil revenues, particularly those anticipated from the recently completed Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
1977: Trans-Alaska Pipeline Completion
The completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in 1977 facilitated the transport of oil from Prudhoe Bay and contributed significantly to the oil boom in Alaska.
1980: Oil Revenue Impacts State Budget
From 1980 onwards, royalty revenues generated from oil production played a crucial role in funding Alaska's state budgets.
1980: Census-Designated Places near Ketchikan
In the 1980 census, seven CDPs were designated around the Ketchikan area (Clover Pass, Herring Cove, Ketchikan East, Mountain Point, Alaska Route 7, Pennock Island, and Saxman East). These designations haven't been used since.
1980: Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 significantly expanded protected lands in Alaska, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and wild and scenic rivers.
1982: First Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends
Starting in 1982, dividends from the Alaska Permanent Fund's annual growth began to be paid out to eligible Alaskans. The initial dividend was $1,000, equivalent to three years' worth of payouts due to a lawsuit delaying the distribution.
1983: White Pass and Yukon Route Featured on TV
In 1983, the White Pass and Yukon Route, a railroad running partly through Alaska and Canada, was featured in the BBC television series "Great Little Railways."
1983: Never Cry Wolf Filmed in Alaska
The 1983 Disney movie "Never Cry Wolf" was partially filmed in Alaska.
1989: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck a reef in Prince William Sound, causing a massive oil spill that had devastating environmental consequences for the Alaskan coastline.
1989: San Francisco Earthquake Comparison
The 1964 Good Friday earthquake was more than a thousand times stronger than the San Francisco earthquake which occurred in 1989.
1990: Hickel's Re-election
In 1990, Wally Hickel was re-elected as governor of Alaska after briefly leaving the Republican party for the Alaskan Independence Party.
1991: Repeal of ANCSA provision
A provision within ANCSA that would have allowed Native corporations to sell their land holdings on the open market from 1991 onward was repealed before it could come into effect.
1991: White Fang Filmed in Alaska
The 1991 film "White Fang," based on Jack London's 1906 novel, was filmed in and around Haines, Alaska.
1994: Hickel Rejoins Republicans
Wally Hickel officially rejoined the Republican party in 1994 after being re-elected as governor.
1994: On Deadly Ground Filmed in Alaska
Steven Seagal's 1994 film "On Deadly Ground" was partly filmed at the Worthington Glacier near Valdez, Alaska.
October 1998: United States Bureau of Land Management report
In October 1998, the United States Bureau of Land Management released a report indicating that roughly 65% of Alaska's land is federally owned and managed, encompassing national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges. The Bureau itself manages 87 million acres (35 million hectares), or 23.8% of the state.
1998: Rural School Funding in Alaska
Starting in 1998, rural schools in Alaska needed at least 10 students to maintain state funding, leading to closures of campuses not meeting this requirement due to declining oil revenues.
2000: Alaska Governance Structure
In 2000, due to low population density, a significant portion (57.71%) of Alaska's land fell under the Unorganized Borough, administered directly by the state government, while housing only 13.05% of the state's population.
2000: Study of Alaska Rail Link Authorized
In 2000, the U.S. Congress authorized $6 million for a feasibility study of a rail link connecting Alaska, Canada, and the lower 48 states.
2000: 2000 Census Population
The 2000 U.S. census registered Alaska's population at 626,932.
2001: Alaska's Energy Dependence
In 2001, Alaska's economy heavily relied on expensive diesel fuel for heating, transportation, and electricity. Despite abundant wind and hydroelectric resources, statewide energy system proposals were deemed uneconomical due to then-low fuel prices, long distances, and a sparse population. Gas prices in urban Alaska were typically 30 to 60 cents higher than the national average, with even higher and more variable prices in rural areas.
2006: High Number of Pilots
In 2006, Alaska had the highest number of pilots per capita of any U.S. state.
2007: Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel
Until 2007, the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, an active Alaska Railroad tunnel converted for road use, was the longest road tunnel in North America. It connected Whittier on Prince William Sound to the Seward Highway near Anchorage.
2008: Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Reaches $3,269
In 2008, the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend reached $3,269, which included a one-time $1,200 "Resource Rebate".
2008: McCain Wins Alaska
John McCain, with running mate Sarah Palin, won Alaska in the 2008 presidential election.
2009: Jewish Population in Alaska in 2009
In 2009, Alaska had 6,000 Jews.
2010: Groundbreaking for the First Mosque in Alaska
The Islamic Community Center of Anchorage broke ground on Alaska's first mosque in 2010.
2010: 2010 American Community Survey and Native Languages in Alaska
Since 2010, data indicated that 5.2% of Alaskans spoke one of the state's 20 indigenous languages.
2010: Racial Demographics
In the 2010 census, Alaska's population was 66.7% White, 14.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.4% Asian, 3.3% Black, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals constituted 5.5% of the population.
2010: Establishment of the First Hindu Temple in Alaska
In 2010, the Sri Ganesha Temple of Alaska was established, the first Hindu temple in the state and the northernmost in the world.
2010: 2010 Census Population
In the 2010 United States census, Alaska's population was 710,231, a 13.3% jump compared to the 2000 census data (626,932).
2010: Religious Demographics of Alaska in 2010
In 2010, the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) found about 34% of Alaska residents were members of religious congregations. The largest denominations were the Catholic Church, non-denominational Evangelicals, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Smaller groups included Mormons, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Baháʼí, and Hindu adherents.
January 2011: Planned Internet Expansion
In January 2011, a $1 billion project was planned to connect Asia and rural Alaska with improved internet access, partially funded by $350 million in federal stimulus.
2011: Minority Population Under One Year Old
By 2011, more than half (50.7%) of Alaska's children under one year old were classified as belonging to minority groups.
2011: Growth of Alaskan Agriculture
In 2011, Alaskan agriculture saw a significant increase in market gardeners, small farms, and farmers' markets. Alaska led the nation with a 46% increase in farmers' markets, compared to a national average of 17%. The peony industry also flourished, filling a niche market by harvesting during a global supply gap.
2011: Reality TV Shows in Alaska
In 2011, the Anchorage Daily News reported that ten reality television shows were being filmed in Alaska.
2011: 2011 American Community Survey on Language Use in Alaska
The 2011 American Community Survey revealed that 83.4% of Alaskans over five spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken included Spanish (3.5%), Indo-European languages (2.2%), Asian languages (4.3%), and other languages (5.3%).
January 2012: Alaska Heritage Resources Survey Update
As of January 2012, over 35,000 historic and prehistoric sites across Alaska were recorded in the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey, a detailed inventory maintained by the Office of History and Archaeology.
2012: Alaska Tourism Upsurge
In 2012-2013, Alaska saw a significant increase in tourism, with nearly two million visitors. Anchorage's Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport underwent extensive remodeling and construction to accommodate this growth.
2012: Obama's Improved Performance
While losing Alaska in 2012, Barack Obama received 40% of the vote, the best Democratic performance since 1968.
2013: Millionaires per Capita in Alaska in 2013
A 2013 study showed Alaska had the fifth-highest number of millionaires per capita in the U.S., at 6.75%.
2013: Brain Drain in Alaska
As of 2013, Alaska faced a "brain drain" issue, with many young people, including top academic achievers, leaving the state after high school and not returning. Alaska lacked a law school or medical school at this time. The University of Alaska offered partial scholarships to top high school graduates through the Alaska Scholars Program to address this issue.
2013: Alaska Tourism Upsurge
In 2012-2013, Alaska saw a significant increase in tourism, with nearly two million visitors. Anchorage's Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport underwent extensive remodeling and construction to accommodate this growth.
2013: Ancient Beringian Discovery
In 2013, the remains of a six-week-old infant were discovered at the Upward Sun River site in Alaska, providing evidence of a previously unknown ancient group called Ancient Beringians who may have been among the first people to settle in North America.
February 2014: Crude Oil Production in Alaska in February 2014
By February 2014, Alaska ranked fourth in U.S. crude oil production, after Texas, North Dakota, and California, although Prudhoe Bay remained the second highest-yielding oil field.
October 2014: Official Recognition of Alaska's Indigenous Languages
In October 2014, Alaska's governor signed a bill granting official status to the state's 20 indigenous languages. This was symbolic recognition, not for official government use.
2014: Status of Alaskan Native Languages in 2014
In 2014, the Alaska Native Language Center reported at least 20 Alaskan native languages, some with various dialects. Most belonged to the Eskimo–Aleut or Na-Dene families, while some were isolates (like Haida) or unclassified (like Tsimshianic). Nearly all were considered threatened, shifting, moribund, nearly extinct, or dormant.
2014: Religious Importance and Beliefs in Alaska in 2014
In 2014, the Pew study found that 41% of Alaskans considered religion very important, and 29% somewhat important. Around 55% believed in God with absolute certainty, and 24% fairly certainly. 30% attended services weekly, 34% monthly, and 36% seldom/never.
2014: Business-Friendly Tax Policy
In 2014, the Tax Foundation ranked Alaska as having the fourth most "business-friendly" tax policy in the United States.
2014: Religious Landscape of Alaska in 2014
The Pew Research Center's 2014 study indicated 62% of Alaska's adult population identified as Christian, with Catholicism being the largest denomination, followed by Protestantism and Evangelicalism. The unaffiliated made up 37%, with atheists at 5% and Buddhism as the largest non-Christian religion.
2014: Nearing Completion of the First Mosque in Alaska
By late 2014, construction of Alaska's first mosque in Anchorage was nearing completion.
February 24, 2015: Marijuana Legalization
On February 24, 2015, Alaska legalized recreational marijuana, joining Colorado and Washington as the first states to do so.
2015: Demographic Estimates from American Community Survey
In 2015, Alaska was estimated to be 61.3% non-Hispanic white, 3.4% Black or African American, 13.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 6.2% Asian. Hispanics and Latin Americans represented 7% of the population.
2015: Proposed Increase to Minimum Student Requirement
In 2015, a proposal was made to increase the minimum student requirement for rural school funding in Alaska to 25 students, but it did not gain significant legislative support.
October 2016: First Legal Marijuana Store
In October 2016, the first legal marijuana store opened in Valdez, Alaska.
2016: Budget Shortfall
In 2016, Alaska faced a budget shortfall of over $2 billion due to falling oil prices.
2018: Single Area Code Status
As of 2018, because of its limited population, Alaska was among the 14 states that still operated with a single telephone area code.
2018: Budget Shortfall Reduction
By 2018, Alaska had reduced its budget shortfall to under $500 million.
2018: Alaska's Economic Standing in 2018
In 2018, Alaska's gross state product was $55 billion (48th in the U.S.) and per capita personal income was $73,000 (7th in the nation).
2018: Reasons for Non-Churchgoing Among Christians in Alaska in 2018
In 2018, The Gospel Coalition, using Pew data, analyzed reasons for non-churchgoing among Christians, which included alternative faith practices, difficulty finding suitable churches, dislike of sermons, feeling unwelcomed, and logistical challenges.
2018: Immigrant Origins
The Philippines, Mexico, Canada, Thailand, and South Korea were the leading countries of origin for immigrants to Alaska in 2018.
2019: Demographic Estimates from American Community Survey
The 2019 American Community Survey approximated Alaska's racial makeup as 60.2% non-Hispanic white, 3.7% Black or African American, 15.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 6.5% Asian. Approximately 7.8% of the population was foreign-born between 2015 and 2019.
2019: 2019 American Community Survey on Language Use in Alaska
In 2019, the American Community Survey showed 83.7% of Alaskans spoke only English at home, while 16.3% spoke a language other than English. Spanish remained the most common European language after English, spoken by 4.0%, while Asian and Pacific Islander languages were spoken by 5.6%.
April 1, 2020: 2020 Census Population
On April 1, 2020, Alaska had a population of 733,391, representing a 3.3% rise from 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
2020: Alaska Population Data
In 2020, Anchorage was Alaska's most populous city with 291,247 residents. Denali had the highest per capita income ($42,245), while Yakutat City, Sitka, Juneau, and Anchorage were among the largest U.S. cities by area.
2020: Population Outside Incorporated Areas
According to the 2020 U.S. census, about 2.27% of Alaska's population (16,655 people) lived outside incorporated cities or CDPs. Many resided in urban areas near Ketchikan, Kodiak, Palmer, and Wasilla.
2020: Incorporated Cities and CDPs in Alaska
The 2020 United States census identified 355 incorporated cities and census-designated places (CDPs) in Alaska. This includes four unified municipalities. Most of these are located in "The Bush" and are not connected to the North American road network.
2020: Biden's Strong Showing
Joe Biden received 42.77% of the vote in Alaska in 2020, the highest percentage for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964.
2020: 2020 Public Religion Research Institute Survey on Religious Self-Identification in Alaska
In 2020, the Public Religion Research Institute conducted a survey on religious self-identification in Alaska.
2020: Religious Landscape of Alaska in 2020
The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) reported in 2020 that 57% of Alaskan adults identified as Christian.
2020: Ballot Measure 2 Passes
In 2020, Alaskan voters approved Ballot Measure 2, implementing non-partisan primaries and ranked-choice voting for statewide elections.
2020: Religious Diversity in Alaska in 2020
In 2020, ARDA estimated 400 Muslims, 690 Baháʼí adherents, and 469 adherents of Hinduism and Yoga in Alaska, along with a small Buddhist population.
2020: Christian Adherence in Alaska in 2020
In 2020, ARDA data showed non/inter-denominational Protestantism as the largest Christian group in Alaska with 73,930 adherents, followed by Roman Catholics with 40,280 members.
2020: Population and Wealth Ranking
As per the 2020 data, Alaska ranked 48th in population among U.S. states, outnumbering only Vermont and Wyoming. It holds the title of the least densely populated state.
2020: Active Pilot Certificates
As of 2020, there were 8,795 active pilot certificates in Alaska.
2020: State Budget
In 2020, Alaska's state government budget was $4.8 billion, while projected revenues were $4.5 billion.
2021: Largest Hospital in Alaska
As of 2021, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage was the largest hospital in the state. Anchorage also housed Alaska Regional Hospital and Alaska Native Medical Center.
2021: Alaska-Alberta Railway Development Corporation in Receivership
As of 2021, the Alaska-Alberta Railway Development Corporation, involved in developing a rail link between Alaska and Canada, was placed into receivership.
October 2022: Employment and Establishments in Alaska in October 2022
As of October 2022, Alaska had a total employment of 316,900 and 21,077 employer establishments.
2022: Peltola's Historic Win
In 2022, Mary Peltola won the special election for Alaska's U.S. House seat, becoming the first Democrat to win since 1972 and the first Alaskan Native elected to Congress.
2022: Homeless Population Estimate
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimated Alaska's homeless population to be around 2,320 individuals.
2022: Private Health Insurance in Alaska
As of 2022, CVS Health and Premera accounted for 47% and 46% of the private health insurance market in Alaska, respectively. Premera and Moda Health offered insurance on the federally-run Affordable Care Exchange.
2022: Don Young's Tenure Ends
Don Young's 49-year tenure as Alaska's sole U.S. House representative ended in 2022.
2022: Religious Landscape of Alaska in 2022
By 2022, the Christian population in Alaska increased to 77%, according to the PRRI.
2022: Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
As of 2022, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) operated healthcare facilities in 27 communities, including hospitals in Sitka and Wrangell. Originally serving only Native Americans, SEARHC expanded access and integrated with other local facilities over time.
2024: Alaska's Demographics
As of 2024, Alaska's population was 740,133, making it the most populous territory north of the 60th parallel in North America. It is the largest state by area in the U.S., yet is the third least populous and most sparsely populated. About half of Alaska's residents live in the Anchorage metropolitan area.
2024: Peltola Loses Reelection
Mary Peltola lost reelection to Republican Nick Begich III in 2024.