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.
Laika's coffin circled the Earth 2,570 times and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere on 4 April 1958. First dog in space died within hours. The dog Laika, the first living creature to orbit the Earth, did not live nearly as long as Soviet officials led the world to believe.aika had been a stray. An astonished world witnessed the launch of Sputnik 2 weighing 113 kg (250 lbs) and carrying the first living thing to go into orbit-the dog Laika. The animal had been a stray wandering the streets of Moscow when she was captured and prepared for a space mission.