History and Trivia

Part of the enduring popularity and lasting lore of the annual dogsledding competition of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the curiosity and familiarity it holds for casual and serious international fans, intrigued Alaska visitors, and longtime Alaskans. Most can tell you that the 1,049-mile marathon that gruelingly... Read more

There are literally hundreds of fun facts about Alaska, America’s 49th state, but we’ve whittled down that list of Alaska trivia to our top 25: #1: On October 18, 1867 Alaska officially became the property of the United States. Many Americans called the purchase of the land from Russia... Read more

Alaska is well-known and well-traveled, and part of that popularity lies in the mystique of its locale in the Far North. But does everyone exactly WHERE Alaska thrives in the northern hemisphere? While some have a decent idea of Alaska’s location (northwest of Canada, east of Russia, somewhere near... Read more

Twice a year, Alaskans celebrate two holidays, Seward’s Day and Alaska Day, that mark the state’s unique entry into American history, while simultaneously recognizing Alaska’s departure from Russia’s hold. Seward’s Day lands on the last Monday of March and commemorates the purchase agreement signing for Alaska between the United... Read more

What’s in a name (or in this case), a nickname? When it comes to cities, towns and villages across Alaska, the names for Alaskan towns often honor Alaska Native heritage and languages – Nenana, Kenai, Skwentna, to list just some of three of hundreds! Other Alaska town names pay... Read more

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is America’s largest national wildlife refuge and Alaska at its wildest, rawest, most remote and adventurous. Better known to most by its acronym ANWR (pronounced ann-wahr), the refuge is more than 19 million acres of largely untarnished and incredibly diverse land in the northeast... Read more

Winter in Alaska is an exceptionally noteworthy experience. As temperatures drop and daylight dwindles to just a few hours a day, out of the quiet and peaceful atmosphere, a green glow begins to blanket evening-to-morning landscapes. Large ribbons of light materialize in the sky, stretching across the horizon and... Read more

Centuries before planes, freighters and friends brought favorite American foods north to Alaska, Alaska’s Native people led lifestyles of subsistence and survival. Traditional patterns of hunting, harvesting, fishing and foraging followed the waxing and waning Alaska sun and changing seasons. Despite the emergence of easy-to-eat and prepare, convenience-oriented fast... Read more