Interesting Facts And Alaskan History

By Grace Daniels


Ice, cold, not many inhabitants; this is generally the impression people have when they hear or think of the state of Alaska. There are so many misconceptions surrounding the largest state in the United States. Alaskan history does exist and can be very interesting. There are actually a whole lot of interesting facts about Alaska and learning a little bit about the history behind the state is really amazing.

Some of the most notable events that have taken place include but are definitely not limited to the 1925 Nome diphtheria outbreak, the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, the 1964 9.2 magnitude earthquake, and the gold rushes that occurred between 1876 and 1900. Lets not forget in 1741 the first discovery of Alaska was made by a Russian expedition being led by Vitus Bering along with George Steller. This is just a few quick examples of what Alaskan history holds.

Sled dog racing was inspired by the Diptheria outbreak in 1925. Annually in March the well known Iditarod sled dog races takes place along with the Serum Run 25 dog sled race. These dogs get to show just what they are made of as does their owners. They endure brutal conditions, rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions, just like they did in 1925 transporting the serum. The serum run of 1925 is when dogs such as Balto became recognized for their outstanding achievements.

One of the most memorable historical facts is the outbreak of diphtheria in 1925 when dog sleds where used to transport serum from Nenana to Nome because there was no other way to get the serum there. This inspired the well know Iditarod sled dog races that take place each year in March. There is also the Serum run 25 sled dog race which retraces the exact same route used in 1925 to transport the serum. This is also where dogs such as Balto received high recognition and became famous for their endurance, strength and fearlessness.

Defined by snow and ice capped peaks, Alaska is home to seventeen out of the twenty highest peaks in the United States with Mt McKinney being the highest in North America. Home to the Mt Spurr volcano, which is the most active eastern volcano and part of a stratovolcano. In 1992 Mt Spurr erupted three different times and in 2009 Mt Redoubt, another volcano, erupted five times.

Snow covered peaks invade the land. Home to seventeen of the twenty highest peaks in the United States, is just another think Alaska is known for. Included in these peaks are volcanoes. Mt Spurr and Mt Redoubt are just two of the active volcanoes. Spurr erupted not just once but three times in 1992 and in 2009 Redoubt erupts not just three but a total of five times. Spurr is the eastern most active volcano and is also part of a larger stratovolcano.

The native Alaskan aborigines inhabited the lands during the last ice age. The Bering land bridge which spanned 1000 miles wide between Alaska and Siberia allowed people to cross and inhabit the lands. Later on the natives were given land for free to live on, now known as homesteads. The homesteads are included in the preservation and protected along with the other hundred million acres of land. Some inhabitant originated from the gold rushes.

You probably did not expect for this land to have so many amazing historical facts. Alaskan history is very real and everyone should take a little bit of time to learn more about it instead of falling into the misconceived notions of reality.




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