- Purchased by the United States from Russia in July 1867 for $7.2 million, to mixed approval.

- 736,732 people are estimated to live in Alaska, up from 710,231 in 2010 Census. (Slightly less than the city of Charlotte, NC)

- At 660,000 square miles, Alaska is slightly larger than twice the size of Texas, larger than France, Spain, and Portugal combined. Only 17 countries in the world are larger than Alaska.

- Gold was discovered in Alaska in 1896.

- Several Aleutian islands invaded and occupied by Japanese troops between June 1942 and August 1943.

- U.S. statehood was approved on July 7, 1958, and Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959 (7 1/2 months before Hawaii).

- Enormous 9.2 magnitude earthquake on March 27, 1964 killed 133 people, caused Tsunamis in Northwest.

- Each Alaskan resident receives a check from the Alaska Permanent Fund from state owned mineral resources. This year's check was $2,072.

Happy days for Erin (Granddaughter) Iain and LIAM !! Go Sharks--That's his team name !!!

Our Gal Sarah as Gov was very instrumental in getting this done-- My take on her--She should have stayed as Alaska's Gov--The rest so-so