WHEREAS, on October 18, 1867, Alaska officially became a United States Territory after the formal transfer from Russia; and
WHEREAS, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in March of 1867, although the formal transfer did not officially occur until October of that same year; and
WHEREAS, approximately 250 United States Army troops marched to the Governor’s house at “Castle Hill” in Sitka to celebrate the formal transfer with a ceremonial flag-raising to replace the Russian flag with the first 49 star United States flag; and
WHEREAS, this pivotal moment in our state’s history laid the foundation for Alaska’s development as an official component of the United States of America which did not officially occur for another 92 years with Alaska gaining statehood in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Alaska Day, a fundamental piece of the Last Frontier’s history, serves as a valuable testament of the rich history of our state because Alaska is a land of limitless opportunities, tremendous landscapes, and bountiful resources; and
WHEREAS, October 18, 2023 marks the 156th anniversary of the formal transfer of Alaska from the Russian Empire to the United States of America, so, today is a day to celebrate the magnitude and significance to which we have grown as a state and to be grateful for the wealth of resources, culture, and nature we have available to us.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 18, 2023 as:
Alaska Day
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to celebrate and recognize this momentous milestone in Alaska’s history.
Dated: October 18, 2023
