1741    Alexei Chirikov sights land in Southeast Alaska. He sends men ashore in a longboat, making them the first Europeans to visit Alaska.

1784    Russia founds a colony on Kodiak Island, Alaska.

1788    Russian explorer Gerasim Izmailov reaches Alaska.

1867    Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about 2 cent/acre ($4.19/km²), by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward. The media call this Seward's Folly.

1867    Alaska purchase: Passing by a single vote, the United States Senate ratifies a treaty with Russia for the purchase of Alaska.

1867    United States takes possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia for $7.2 million. Celebrated annually in the state as Alaska Day.

1909    ''Collier's magazine'' accuses United States Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger of questionable dealings in Alaskan coal fields.

1912    The eruption of Novarupta in Alaska begins. It is the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

1912    Alaska becomes a United States territory.

1925    Glacier Bay National Monument (now Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve) is established in Alaska.

1942    World War II: Japanese soldiers occupy the American islands of Attu and Kiska, in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska.

1957    A magnitude 8.3 earthquake in the Andreanof Islands, Alaska triggers a Pacific-wide tsunami causing extensive damage to Hawaii and Oahu.

1959    Alaska is admitted as the 49th U.S. State.

1959    With the admission of Alaska as the 49th U.S. state earlier in the year, the 49-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1989    Exxon Valdez oil spill: In Prince William Sound in Alaska, the ''Exxon Valdez'' spills 240,000 barrels (42,000 m³) of petroleum after running aground.

1991    The United States Department of Justice announces that Exxon has agreed to pay $1 billion for the clean-up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska.

1992    Hunters discover the emaciated body of Christopher Johnson McCandless at his camp {{convert|20|mi|km}} west of the town of Healy, Alaska.

2006    Fourpeaked Mountain in Alaska erupts, marking the first eruption for the long-dormant volcano in at least 10,000 years.