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Juan Perez is ordered by Spain to explore the west coast and discovers Prince of Wales Island, Dixon Sound.
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Grigorii Shelikhov establishes the first permanent non-Native settlement at Three Saints Bay, Kodiak.
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Catherine II grants a limited monopoly of furs in Alaska to Grigorii Shelikov.
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The first Russian Orthodox Church is established at Kodiak.
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Russians begin exploration of mainland Alaska that leads to discovery of the Nushagak, Kuskokwim, Yukon, and Koyukuk Rivers.
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Russian Orthodox diocese formed. Bishop Innokenty Venianminov given permission to use Native languages in the liturgy.
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De Stoeckl returns to U.S. from St. Petersburg with authority to negotiate the sale of Alaska.
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Gold discovered on the Stikine River near Telegraph Creek.
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Pribilof Islands placed under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury. Fur seal population which was stable under Russian rule, declines rapidly.
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The first commercial herring fishery begins at Killisnoo; near Angoon and the first two canneries are built in Central Alaska. The U.S. Navy bombs and burns the Tlingit village of Angoon.
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Congress passes the Organic Act, allowing the first local government, and $15,000 is appropriated to educate Indian children.
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Dr. C.H. Townsend suggests the introduction of reindeer into Alaska. Sheldon Jackson appointed General Agent for Education in Alaska.
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Anchorage organizes city government.
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Court case resolves the right of Native children to attend public school.
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Statehood proclaimed; state constitution in effect; Sitka pulp mill opens; U.S. Court of Claims issues judgment favoring Tlingit and Haida claims to Southeast Alaska lands.
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The unemployment rate is at a record low at 5.8%; the moose is adopted as Alaska's official state land mammal; in May, an estimated 4,000 people marched in Anchorage to show solidarity and to bring attention to Native Rights issues.