How Much Do You Know About Alaska Day? Quiz

• General Lovell Rousseau was the U.S. representative in charge of overseeing the official transfer of Alaska from Russian control. He accepted the territory on behalf of the United States from Captain Alexei Pestchouroff, who represented the Russian Empire. The formalities took place at Fort Sitka, where the Russian flag was lowered, and the American flag was raised. This peaceful transfer signified the beginning of a new era for Alaska and set the stage for its eventual statehood, which would come over 90 years later in 1959.

Captain Alexei Pestchouroff, acting on behalf of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, formally transferred the Alaskan territory to the United States. In the official ceremony at Fort Sitka, he handed over control to General Lovell Rousseau, representing the U.S. government. The event was marked by a symbolic lowering of the Russian flag and the raising of the American flag. This transfer signified the end of Russian presence in Alaska and the beginning of American administration, which would later pave the way for Alaska’s statehood in 1959.

The transfer of Alaska was symbolized by the lowering of the Russian flag and the raising of the American flag at Fort Sitka. This act officially marked the handover of the territory from Russia to the United States. Witnessed by Russian officials, American military personnel, and local residents, the event was an important moment in history. While the purchase was initially met with skepticism, it ultimately proved to be a valuable acquisition, with Alaska later becoming the 49th U.S. state in 1959. The ceremony is still commemorated every year on Alaska Day.

The United States purchased Alaska from Russia on March 30, 1867, through a treaty negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward. The purchase, often called "Seward's Folly" at the time, cost $7.2 million, which was considered a large sum for what was then seen as a remote and frozen land. However, Alaska turned out to be rich in natural resources, including gold, oil, and timber, making it one of the most valuable acquisitions in U.S. history. The formal transfer occurred months later, on October 18, 1867.

The formal transfer of Alaska occurred on October 18, 1867, following the signing of the purchase agreement on March 30, 1867. This transfer marked the beginning of American administration in Alaska, although it would take many years before the region became a state. At the time, many Americans viewed the acquisition as a poor investment, calling it "Seward’s Folly." However, the discovery of gold, oil, and other valuable resources in Alaska eventually proved its immense worth, making it one of the most significant land purchases in U.S. history.

The USS Ossipee, a U.S. Navy vessel, played a ceremonial role in the transfer of Alaska by firing a salute during the flag-raising at Fort Sitka. As the American flag was raised, the ship fired its cannons in honor of the occasion, with the sound echoing off the nearby mountains. This moment symbolized the official handover of the territory from Russian to American control. The USS Ossipee was an active warship at the time, and its presence underscored the significance of the event in U.S. history.