PHOTO GALLERY
Alaska celebrated its 50th anniversary of being the 49th state in the union over the weekend. A day full of musical entertainment, a cauldron lighting and other activities came to an end with a fireworks display over downtown Anchorage. Celebrations had been planned all around the state including Kodiak, Valdez, Fairbanks, Nome, Unalaska and Juneau.
50th anniversary of Alaska statehood
Fifty years of change. Consider for a moment how different Alaska would be today if it had never become a state. Celebrate Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood with a sneak peak at our statehood story and a list of events.
Statehood events set for Friday
Alaska's big statehood bash is Friday. Organizers expect a crowd of 2,000 in downtown Anchorage's new Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center. The formal gala will celebrate 50 years of statehood.
DECEMBER 1958: VINTAGE COLLECTION
As Alaska waited official word of statehood, wars raged in Tibet and Cuba. The U.S. missile program was faltering. Experts said the looming national debt would lead to disaster. The newest state was also the poorest, short on money and jobs. Hopes for oil development had been disappointed by a series of dry holes.
The year 1958 was a monumental year for Alaska. Nov. 25 that year for the first time ever, Alaskans participated in a national election -- some weeks after the rest of the country had gone to the polls. Sen. John Kennedy came to town to boost Democratic candidates.
JULY 1958: VINTAGE COLLECTION
This year the Daily News commemorates the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood with a series of photos and articles drawn from our archives of material published in 1958, a series leading up to the official date of admission, Jan. 3, 1959. In today's feature, read Daily News stories from 50 years ago.
INTRODUCTION: ALASKA STATEHOOD SECTION
This year the Daily News commemorates the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood with a series of photos and articles drawn from our archives of material published in 1958, a series leading up to the official date of admission, Jan. 3, 1959.
MEMORIES FROM THE ERA
Each month we'll feature newspaper pages from our archives in the year leading up to statehood.
We’ve searched our archives from 1958, but the best will come from you. Relive the era in our gallery and share your photos for others to enjoy.
Don’t have photos, but remember the era? Share your statehood memories, and read what other people recall here. Share your stories.
Men load fish trap into Yukon River, winter 1958, Author: Jack Dunham.
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