Tomorrow, October 18, is a legal holiday int Alaska — it’s Alaska Day. It is the anniversary of the formal transfer of territories in present-day Alaska from the Russian Empire to the United States. That occurred on Friday, October 18, 1867.
The United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire for the sum of $7.2 million on March 30, 1867. It wasn’t until October of that year that the commissioners arrived in Sitka and the formal transfer was arranged. The formal flag-raising took place at Fort Sitka on October 18, 1867. The ceremony included 250 US Army troops, who marched to the governor’s house at Castle Hill. The Russian soldiers lowered the Russian flag and the U.S. flag was raised.
National Alaska Day is a day to honor the history and culture of the state. From Native American heritage to Eskimo folklore, Alaska is full of fascinating stories and histories. I’ve been lots of places around the world, but if I had to make a list of the most interesting and beautiful places I’ve been, Alaska would always make the top three or four.
Alaska Day was established in 1959 when Congress declared October 18th Alaska Day to commemorate Alaska being admitted into the Union as the 48th state.
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