American Timeline By namenonsa Oct 18, 1867 Russia sells Alaska to the U.S. 1880 Gold discovered near Juneau 1881 Capital established in Juneau Jan 16, 1883 Chester Arthur signs the Organic Act 1896 Klondike Gold Rush 1899 Nome Gold Rush 1899 Harriman Expedition to Alaska 1902 Gold discovered near Fairbanks 1903 Alaska - Canada border established through arbitration Jan 3, 1903 Alaska becomes a territory 1905 Nelson Act establishes schools for white children 1912 First salmon cannery constructed on Prince of Wales Island Mar 21, 1913 Women in Alaska granted the right to vote May 3, 1917 Founding of the University of Alaska Jun 5, 1920 Jones Act regulating American shipping Jul 15, 1923 Seward to Fairbanks railroad completed 1925 Serum run to Nome (first Iditarod) 1933 Slim Williams begins trip from AK to D.C. by dogsled 1935 Matanuska Colony established Dec 7, 1941 Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor 1942 Completion of Alaska Highway Jun 3, 1942 Japanese bomb Dutch Harbor Jun 7, 1942 Japanese invade Attu Island Apr 24, 1956 Alaskan Constitution written and approved Jan 3, 1959 Alaska is officially proclaimed the 49th state