Alaska became the 49th state of the Union on January 3, 1959! It’s named after the native Aleutian word for “object to which the action of the sea is directed,” but you can also call it The Last Frontier! Its capital is Juneau, and its largest city is Anchorage! Alaska’s state motto is “North to the Future!” This state is famous for its wildlife watching, salmon fishing, Iditarod Dog Sled Race, Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks, and the Klondike Gold Rush!