Alaska

Alaska is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. It is in the Western United States region. The only other non-contiguous U.S. state is Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost state in the United States. It borders the Canadian territory of Yukon and the province of British Columbia to the east. It shares a western maritime border, in the Bering Strait, with Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The Chukchi and Beaufort Seas of the Arctic Ocean lie to the north, and the Pacific Ocean lies to the south. Technically, it is a semi-exclave of the U.S., and it is the largest exclave in the world.

Some of the key events about Alaska

1741
The first European expedition reached Alaska, marking its discovery by the Western world
1867
The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, expanding American territory
1867
The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, initially viewed as a poor investment
1896
Gold was discovered in the Klondike region, sparking the Alaska Gold Rush
1912
Alaska became an organized incorporated territory of the United States
1912
The massive Novarupta volcanic eruption devastated large areas of Alaska
1925
A diphtheria epidemic threatened Nome, requiring a dangerous serum run by dog sled
1935
The Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation established the Matanuska Valley Colony, promoting agricultural development
1942
The Alaska Highway was completed, connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States
1942
Japanese forces invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands during World War II
1958
The U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped a nuclear bomb near Tuxedni Bay, though it didn't detonate
1959
Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the United States
1964
The Great Alaska Earthquake, the most powerful recorded in North American history, caused widespread destruction
1967
A massive flood in Fairbanks caused extensive damage and displaced thousands
1968
Oil was discovered at Prudhoe Bay, leading to economic growth and the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
1980
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was passed, protecting over 100 million acres of land
1989
The Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground, spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound
2004
Wildfires burned a record 6.6 million acres of Alaskan land
2015
Denali, North America's highest peak, was officially renamed from Mount McKinley to its traditional Koyukon Athabascan name
2019
Alaska experienced its hottest year on record, with severe impacts on wildlife and ecosystems

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.