On October 18, Alaska marked the 157th anniversary of its official transfer from Russia to the United States. The transfer, which took place in 1867 in Sitka, is celebrated annually as Alaska Day.
This state holiday honors the day when the American flag was raised over Fort Sitka, symbolizing the formal handover. The original ceremony in 1867 saw United States Army troops march to the governor’s house at Castle Hill, where the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag hoisted.
This occasion represented the United States’ purchase of the Alaskan territories, which remain an integral part of the country to this day. Each year, Sitka, the site of the transfer, recreates the historic ceremony, drawing thousands of locals and visitors alike.
While the flag-raising event itself is a key highlight, the celebration spans several days and features a variety of cultural and historical activities.
According to Hal Spackman, executive director of the Sitka Historical Society, Alaska Day is more than a single event—it is a week-long commemoration.
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“It’s not so much an event, it’s the culmination of events,” Spackman explained. “My job is to promote Sitka history and culture and preserve that, but when you have thousands of people in Sitka talking about Sitka history, and there’s interest statewide — and often nationwide — in this event, that’s pretty cool.”
Alaska Day has been an official state holiday since at least 1917, and for over four decades, Sitka has consistently hosted events honoring this historic moment. In Sitka, public schools release students early, and many businesses close their doors in recognition of the day. State employees across Alaska also receive the day off.
Beyond the transfer reenactment, the week features activities like the Sitka Historical Society’s brisket and pork shoulder cook-off and the festive Alaska Day Ball. Spackman expressed pride in how the community has preserved this tradition despite occasional challenges.
Meanwhile, Governor Mike Dunleavy highlighted the significance of the day in a public statement: “Alaska Day marks a significant piece of the Last Frontier’s history and serves as a reminder of Alaska’s rich history and distinctiveness as a State full of boundless opportunities, breathtaking landscapes, and bountiful resources.”
Dunleavy further reflected on the state’s progress since the transfer, stating, “October 18, 2024, marks the 157th anniversary of the formal transfer of Alaska from the Russian Empire to the United States of America. Today is a day to celebrate our growth as a State and to be grateful for the abundant resources, rich cultures, and incredible encounters with nature that are available to us as Alaskans.”
Russia’s Conquest Of Alaska
Russia’s expansionist ambitions in the 16th century dramatically increased its territorial holdings, including its push toward Alaska and even California.
What began as a small country expanded into a vast empire driven by a desire for new lands and resources. This imperial expansion found its roots in the conquest of Siberia, a campaign that eventually brought Russia to the doorstep of North America.
In 1581, Russia began its conquest of the Khanate of Sibir, a territory controlled by a descendant of the famed Genghis Khan. This victory opened up vast swathes of Siberia, unlocking a new frontier for the Russian Empire. Within just 60 years, Russian forces had advanced all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Their motivation was not solely territorial; the fur trade was highly lucrative, and they strongly desired to spread the Russian Orthodox faith to the populations they viewed as “heathens” in the East. Additionally, new territories meant access to more taxpayers and resources, all of which would strengthen the empire.
By the early 18th century, Peter the Great established Russia’s first navy and was eager to further Russia’s reach. He ordered two expeditions from the Siberian city of Okhotsk to determine how far the Asian landmass extended to the East. I
n 1741, explorer Vitus Bering led one of these missions, crossing the strait that now bears his name. During this journey, he sighted Mt. Saint Elias, located near present-day Yakutat, Alaska, thus officially marking Russian interest in North America.
Though Bering’s second Kamchatka Expedition would claim his life after a disastrous shipwreck and an outbreak of scurvy, it proved highly successful for Russia. The crew managed to repair their ship and return to Siberia with a valuable cargo of sea otters, foxes, and fur seals.
These animals were abundant in the region and their fur commanded a high price. This discovery ignited a fur rush reminiscent of the Klondike gold rush that would occur over a century later.
However, despite its rich resources, Alaska proved to be a challenging place to settle. The Russian population in Alaska never exceeded 800, and communication with St. Petersburg, then Russia’s capital, was difficult due to the vast distance. Additionally, Alaska’s climate made agriculture almost impossible, limiting the appeal for large-scale settlement.
Realizing these challenges, Russian explorers began looking southward in search of more hospitable lands for trade. Their efforts led them to California, where they established trade relations with the Spanish settlers and eventually set up a small settlement at Fort Ross in 1812.
However, even this expansion did not solve the difficulties of maintaining a profitable and sustainable colony in Alaska.
By the mid-1860s, Russia’s Alaskan colony had become a burden. The sea otter population, a primary source of fur, had been depleted, and the colony was no longer financially viable. Russia, stretched thin by the costs of the Crimean War and internal economic strains, could no longer afford to maintain its hold on Alaska.
Defending the territory was also challenging, as it was too remote from Russia’s power centers. Faced with these issues, Russian officials began seeking a buyer for Alaska.
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America Was Keen To Strike A Deal
Russia had limited choices regarding Alaska’s fate. Selling the territory to the British, who controlled the neighboring Canadian provinces, was not an option.
Britain was viewed as Russia’s chief colonial rival, and anything that could potentially bolster its position was to be avoided. Conversely, the prospect of selling Alaska to the United States appeared more appealing.
Transferring Alaska to the US would enable Washington to counterbalance British dominance in the region. Additionally, Russia believed that the United States was on a trajectory to claim all of North America eventually. Thus, it seemed prudent to divest early and secure some financial gain in the process.
From the American perspective, Alaska was seen as a land of opportunity, with potential for gold, fur, and fisheries. The US also envisioned increased trade opportunities with Asian markets, particularly China and Japan.
Moreover, there were concerns that Britain might attempt to establish a foothold in Alaska. Acquiring the territory would, it was believed, solidify the United States’ position as a Pacific power.
Discussions began between US Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Ambassador Eduard de Stoeckl in March 1867. Despite the deal’s strategic benefits, public sentiment in America was largely negative.
Many viewed Alaska as barren and unworthy of investment, dubbing the acquisition “Seward’s Folly” and “Andrew Johnson’s Polar Bear Garden,” among other disparaging names. Some of the opposition may have stemmed from President Andrew Johnson’s unpopularity at the time.
As the 17th President of the United States, Johnson faced major opposition from Radical Republicans in Congress regarding his Reconstruction policies after the Civil War. He was impeached in 1868 but was acquitted by a single vote. Despite the controversy surrounding his administration, Congress ultimately approved the Alaska purchase.
The tide of public opinion also shifted dramatically when gold was discovered in Nome, Alaska, in 1899, igniting a gold rush and transforming perceptions of the territory. On January 3, 1959, Alaska was officially admitted as the 49th state.
Today, the acquisition of Alaska is regarded as a landmark achievement in American foreign policy. What was initially perceived as a foolish purchase has turned out to be a transformative investment that has significantly bolstered American power, economy, and global influence, yielding benefits that continue to resonate today.
Russia’s Renewed Claim to Alaska
Recently, Russian officials and commentators have reiterated claims that Alaska should be returned to Russia despite the territory legally being acquired by the United States in 1867.
This rhetoric gained momentum following a decree signed by President Putin earlier this year. The decree allocated funds for the research and registration of Russian property abroad, including in former territories of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.
While the decree did not explicitly reference Alaska, it drew the attention of military bloggers who interpreted it as an implicit declaration that the 1867 sale of Alaska to the US was invalid.
Before this, during a 2014 Q&A session, Putin characterized the sale as “inexpensive” and suggested that people should not be overly concerned about it.
He remarked, “We can calculate the equivalent amount, but it was definitely inexpensive. Russia is a northern country, with 70 percent of its territory located in the north and the far north. Alaska isn’t situated in the southern hemisphere either; it’s cold there too. Let’s not get worked up about it, all right?”
While Putin appeared to downplay the sale, Russian lawmaker Sergei Mironov hinted in December that Moscow would reclaim its previous territories in the future.
“Did you want a new world order? Receive and sign. Venezuela annexed a 24th state, Guyana-Essequibo. This is happening right under the nose of the once-great hegemon of the United States. All that remains is for Mexico to return Texas and the rest. It’s time for Americans to think about their future. And also about Alaska,” Mironov wrote on X.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev quipped about the State Department’s response and wrote on X, “According to a State Department representative, Russia is not getting back Alaska, which was sold to the U.S. in the 19th century. This is it, then. And we’ve been waiting for it to be returned any day. Now war is unavoidable,” with a laughing emoji attached.
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