Alaska: Education, The Land, The People By michaelwelge Apr 21, 1639 Cossack horsemen arrive - Create first Russian Villiage in AK Apr 21, 1725 Berring explorered AK's NW coast, established Russian claim to the territory Apr 21, 1741 First Russian ships arrived and established fur trade Apr 21, 1843 First mission school for Eskimos founded Nushagak by Russian Orthodox Church Apr 21, 1847 Fort Yukon established Apr 21, 1853 Russian explorers find oil in Cook Inlet Apr 21, 1861 Gold discovered on Stikine River Apr 21, 1867 A variety of Christian churches founded schools throughout Alaska Apr 21, 1867 Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million Apr 21, 1872 Gold discovered near Stitka Apr 21, 1874 George Halt becomes first man to cross Chilkoot Pass in search for gold Apr 21, 1876 Gold discoverd near Juneau Apr 21, 1882 First commercial herring fishing begins in AK Apr 21, 1884 Steamships begin bringing tourists Apr 21, 1884 Funds for education in Alaska distributed to existing mission schools Apr 21, 1887 Use of English in native schools Apr 21, 1888 Over 60,000 arrive in AK in pursuit of gold Apr 21, 1899 Local communities authorized to found school boards Apr 21, 1900 Capitol moved from Stitka to Juneau Apr 21, 1902 Theodore Roosevelt established Tongass National Forest Apr 21, 1908 First teachers conference held in Juneau Apr 21, 1911 The Alaska School Service develops first state curriculum Apr 21, 1912 Mt. Katmai explodes, creating valley of 10,000 smokes Apr 21, 1913 Women get right to vote in Alaska Territory Apr 21, 1915 Alaska Agricultural and Mining School opens; later becomes University of Alaska Apr 21, 1924 Alaska Natives recieve US Citizenship Apr 21, 1942 Japaneese invade Alutians Apr 21, 1948 Alaska Highway opened to civilian traffic Apr 21, 1957 First edition of "We Teach in Alaska" issued to remote AK teachers Apr 21, 1959 Alaska becomes 49th state Apr 21, 1964 Good Friday earthquake. Over $500 million in damage. Valdez completely destroyed Apr 21, 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill
