Alaska was the forty ninth state and is also the largest state in the United States. Purchased from Russia by William Seward, Secretary of State in 1867, he paid only 7.2 million dollars for the land, which came out roughly to two cents per acre. The land did not become a state until almost one hundred years after it was purchased. Misunderstood, Alaskan history is often times taken for granted.
There are several very well known disasters that have left their mark in Alaskan history. One of the most publicized and well known is the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. This spill consisted of eleven million gallons of crude oil being dumped along fifteen hundred miles of the Alaskan coastline. It took over three years and thousands of people to aide in the cleanup of this disaster. In 1992 there was another oil spill, this time it was BP that ended up spilling two hundred sixty seven thousand gallons of crude oil, nowhere near the magnitude of Exxon Valdez. Another very notable disaster is the earthquake of 1964. It measured 9.2 magnitude, was the largest recorded earthquake in North America and the second largest in the entire world.
Disasters are not the only thing in the history of Alaska. There are other facts that make it notable. Did you know that it was purchased from Russia for 7.2 million dollars back in 1867 by William Seward, the US Secretary of State. That equates to only two cent per acre. It became the 49th state in the US on January 3, 1959. It became a state almost 100 years after its purchase. It was first discovered in 1741 by a Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering along with George Steller.
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.
Many of the native aborigines live on what is called a homestead. The people that crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia into Alaska and stayed acquired the lands free and clear and now inhibit them. This is part of the preservation and preserve consisting of over 100 million acres. The lands of this state are protected and will not be able to be over developed and commercialized like so many other states. This allows for the natural beauty and prestige to predominantly exist.
During the last ice age, people crossed the Bering land bridge that spanned one thousand feet wide and connected Siberia and Alaska. This is how the native Alaskan aborigines came to inhabit the land. Many of the natives were given free land called homesteads in which to settle. Much of these homesteads are protected under the preservation act allowing them to remain undeveloped, undisturbed lands.
Bright lights and colors always amaze people; therefore, the northern lights and aurora borealis are two of Alaska's most notable features. These amazing lights occur when particles from the sun collide with gases in the atmosphere. Historically this is one of the few places where you can experience this spectacular light show and still be amazed viewing it over and over as the natives do.
There are so many interesting facts and bits of Alaskan history to learn about. Most people do not realize that this land is more than just snow, ice and cold temperatures. It is an amazing preservation home to a multitude of wildlife. Taking time to explore and learn some of the details of the land of the midnight sun may prove to be more entertain than you ever thought it could be and it may be intriguing enough to make you want to visit the last frontier.
There are several very well known disasters that have left their mark in Alaskan history. One of the most publicized and well known is the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. This spill consisted of eleven million gallons of crude oil being dumped along fifteen hundred miles of the Alaskan coastline. It took over three years and thousands of people to aide in the cleanup of this disaster. In 1992 there was another oil spill, this time it was BP that ended up spilling two hundred sixty seven thousand gallons of crude oil, nowhere near the magnitude of Exxon Valdez. Another very notable disaster is the earthquake of 1964. It measured 9.2 magnitude, was the largest recorded earthquake in North America and the second largest in the entire world.
Disasters are not the only thing in the history of Alaska. There are other facts that make it notable. Did you know that it was purchased from Russia for 7.2 million dollars back in 1867 by William Seward, the US Secretary of State. That equates to only two cent per acre. It became the 49th state in the US on January 3, 1959. It became a state almost 100 years after its purchase. It was first discovered in 1741 by a Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering along with George Steller.
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.
Many of the native aborigines live on what is called a homestead. The people that crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia into Alaska and stayed acquired the lands free and clear and now inhibit them. This is part of the preservation and preserve consisting of over 100 million acres. The lands of this state are protected and will not be able to be over developed and commercialized like so many other states. This allows for the natural beauty and prestige to predominantly exist.
During the last ice age, people crossed the Bering land bridge that spanned one thousand feet wide and connected Siberia and Alaska. This is how the native Alaskan aborigines came to inhabit the land. Many of the natives were given free land called homesteads in which to settle. Much of these homesteads are protected under the preservation act allowing them to remain undeveloped, undisturbed lands.
Bright lights and colors always amaze people; therefore, the northern lights and aurora borealis are two of Alaska's most notable features. These amazing lights occur when particles from the sun collide with gases in the atmosphere. Historically this is one of the few places where you can experience this spectacular light show and still be amazed viewing it over and over as the natives do.
There are so many interesting facts and bits of Alaskan history to learn about. Most people do not realize that this land is more than just snow, ice and cold temperatures. It is an amazing preservation home to a multitude of wildlife. Taking time to explore and learn some of the details of the land of the midnight sun may prove to be more entertain than you ever thought it could be and it may be intriguing enough to make you want to visit the last frontier.
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