On this day in 1959 Alaska was admitted into the United States as the 49th state. Later in 1959 Hawaii would become the 50th state. We haven’t added a state in the United States in the past 54 years. Before Alaska- Arizona was the 48th state and they were admitted in 1912.

Alaska was owned by Russia until it was purchased in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars. That was 2 cents an acre. Alaska is the largest state in size but ranked 47th in total population. The highest elevation in the United States is in Alaska- Mount McKinley at 20,320 feet above sea level. Juneau is the state capital. The largest city in Alaska is Anchorage with 291.000 in population. Alaska is most famous for their mass oil and gas reserves. I have been to all 48 contiguous states- in the next few years have to round out all 50 by going to Alaska and Hawaii.