It's something you probably won't see anywhere else in the world, all of Alaska's surviving governors together. From those who helped build our state when it was just a territory, to our current governor fresh off her bid for the White House.

It was a night to celebrate Alaska, and a room full of Alaska history.

"History is something you don't know you're living until somebody reminds you of it," said former Gov. Frank Murkowski (2002-2006.) "This is a reminder of it because it is a very historic event, 50 years of statehood."

The black tie event brought together Alaska's eight living governors.

As people snapped pictures of them all together, those who helped build our state reflected on how we got here.

"I was telling Eisenhower there's no way we can live with 3 million acres of land nobody thought that," said former Gov. Wally Hickel (1966-1969 and 1990-1994). "And he said, 'Well young man how much land do you think you need?' True story, I blurted out '100 million acres!'"

Former Gov. Mike Stepovich (1957-1958) was the last governor before Alaska became a state.

"We had a lot of states that went before us and we learned from when they went in," he said. "Of course we didn't do it perfectly. We

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probably could have done it a little better thinking about land and stuff like that, but outside of that it seemed to work alright."

From Alaskans making waves nationally half a century ago, to again today, Gov. Sarah Palin (2006-present) says Alaska's young age lets her talk to people who wrote Alaska's constitution.

"That is the uniqueness of Alaska," she said. "Where we can pick up the phone and we can hear from those who helped build the state."

There was another Alaska governor there who may soon be on the national stage, former Gov. Tony Knowles (1994-2002) is rumored to be on a short list for Interior Secretary.

"I haven't been offered anything," he said. "I haven't received any calls, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Other governors there included Keith Miller (1969-1970), Bill Sheffield (1982-1986) and Steve Cowper (1986-1990).

One person summed it up pretty well as they walked by all eight governors lined up: "That's history."

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