Alaska’s WWII History

Alaska’s WWII History When Japan ruled the Pacific in early 1942, Americans worried they might take Juneau, the territorial capital. They hastily erected two radio towers to communicate with the interior. The attack never came. Japan was trying to do too much at once, the battles of Coral Sea and Midway came quickly, and they…

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Alaska's Billion-Dollar Bargain: The Deal of the Century

Alaska's Billion-Dollar Bargain: The Deal of the Century Discover the incredible story behind the purchase of Alaska! In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for just $7.2 million, a deal many thought was a huge mistake. Dubbed “Seward’s Folly,” this acquisition turned out to be one of the best deals in American history.…

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Arctic Peril | Battling Winter After a Plane Crash in Alaska

Arctic Peril | Battling Winter After a Plane Crash in Alaska In 1943, pilot Leon Crane and 4 other men flew over a desolate expanse of Alaska during what was meant to be a routine test flight. They were ascending toward 25,000 feet when one of the engines malfunctioned and failed. Putting on his parachute,…

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Gold Rush Merchant Shipwreck, Alaska. Hidden in Plain Sight.

Gold Rush Merchant Shipwreck, Alaska. Hidden in Plain Sight. My introduction to Skagway came when I worked onboard Princess Cruises, and I was surprised to learn that some of the most interesting history is not often talked about. With the ship, there is a variety of tours available, from whale watching to the White Pass…

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