With an estimated 298,192 residents in 2016,[7] it is Alaska's most populous city and contains more than 40 percent of the state's total population; among the 50 states, only New York has a higher percentage of residents who live in its most populous city.
NOVEMBER 3, 1957: The Soviet Union sent the first living creature into space on this day in 1957 after a dog was rocketed into orbit. Laikaâs arrival on board Sputnik II delighted science fans - but angered animal lovers and humiliated the Americans, who at that time were yet to send up even a satellite.
1 A rhesus monkey called Albert 1 became the first monkey launched into space on June 11, 1948; also on board a US-launched V2 rocket. 2  These were just suborbital flights, though. 3  The first animal to actually go into orbit was the dog Laika, launched on board the Soviet Sputnik 2 spacecraft on November 3, 1957. But the first animals ever intentionally sent into space were fruit flies launched aboard a V2 rocket in 1947. 2  US scientists were studying the effects of radiation at high altitude. 3  A rhesus monkey called Albert 1 became the first monkey launched into space on June 11, 1948; also on board a US-launched V2 rocket.