The year 2015 was a crazy one for Alaska; from the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana to mysterious whale deaths, I’d say this year really takes the cake in eventfulness for our state. Without further ado, let’s ring in the new year with a look back on some of the insane, ground breaking things that happened in Alaska during 2015.
Know of any other major, insane things that happened in Alaska during 2015 worth mentioning? If so, you know the drill, leave us a note in the comments so we all can learn more about the happenings in our state over the past twelve months.
- Legalized marijuana for recreational use.
Katheirne Hitt | Flickr On February 24, 2015, marijuana became legal to personally possess and use recreationally in Alaska. People have been allowed to have a certain amount of marijuana on their person in the past but recreational use is new to the state and quite the big deal in 2015.
- 3.1 million acres burned in forest fire.
Catherine Todd | Flickr A massive section of forest amounting to the size of Connecticut burned in Alaska during the year 2015.
- Mount McKinley renamed Denali.
Nic McPhee | Flickr Obama made his Alaska Trek and officially changed the name of Mt. McKinley to the native word, Denali.
- New dinosaur discovery.
Joonas Vainio | Flickr A new species of dinosaur remains were found. A duck-billed dinosaur thought to have lived in cold climates over 69 million years ago, wow!
- Minimum wage increase.
401(K) 2012 | Flickr Minimum wage was increased at the state of the year to $8.75. That’s not all, look for another dollar increase on January 1st, 2016!
- A man named Santa Claus was voted onto the North Pole City Counsel.
Lars Wichert | Flickr Get this, a man named Santa Claus ran for a seat on City Counsel in the North Pole and WON!
- Mysterious whale deaths.
Richard Ricciardi | Flickr Alaska Fish and Wildlife was baffled over the mysterious occurrence of 30 whale deaths on the shores of Alaska.
- Juneau Mayor found dead.
Wendy | Flickr Greg Fisk, the Mayor of Juneau, had only served the town a few short weeks before his body was found. After speculation about his death it was determined he passed due to natural causes.
Are there any other crazy things you can think of that happened this year? Let me know in the comments.
Katheirne Hitt | Flickr
On February 24, 2015, marijuana became legal to personally possess and use recreationally in Alaska. People have been allowed to have a certain amount of marijuana on their person in the past but recreational use is new to the state and quite the big deal in 2015.
Catherine Todd | Flickr
A massive section of forest amounting to the size of Connecticut burned in Alaska during the year 2015.
Nic McPhee | Flickr
Obama made his Alaska Trek and officially changed the name of Mt. McKinley to the native word, Denali.
Joonas Vainio | Flickr
A new species of dinosaur remains were found. A duck-billed dinosaur thought to have lived in cold climates over 69 million years ago, wow!
401(K) 2012 | Flickr
Minimum wage was increased at the state of the year to $8.75. That’s not all, look for another dollar increase on January 1st, 2016!
Lars Wichert | Flickr
Get this, a man named Santa Claus ran for a seat on City Counsel in the North Pole and WON!
Richard Ricciardi | Flickr
Alaska Fish and Wildlife was baffled over the mysterious occurrence of 30 whale deaths on the shores of Alaska.
Wendy | Flickr
Greg Fisk, the Mayor of Juneau, had only served the town a few short weeks before his body was found. After speculation about his death it was determined he passed due to natural causes.
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