Alaska wasn't always part of the United States. Surprised? In 1867, it was actually a cold, remote part of Russia, and the two countries saw it as little more than a frozen wasteland. But everything changed when the US bought the land for just $7.2 million—a deal that seemed almost unacceptable at the time.
At the heart of this groundbreaking agreement were two figures: US Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister Edouard de Stoeckl. After some intense negotiations, Russia agreed to sell Alaska for around 2 cents an acre—an unbelievable bargain at the time. For context, Alaska is twice the size of Texas and nearly three times the size of California. Yet, back in the 1800s, it was seen as largely useless, with harsh weather and no obvious resources.
On October 18, 1867, the official transfer took place when the Russian flag was lowered in Sitka, replaced by the American flag. At the time, many mocked the purchase, calling it Seward's Folly.
Decades later, massive reserves of oil, gas, and other valuable minerals were discovered beneath Alaska’s icy surface. The once-mocked purchase turned out to be a goldmine—literally. The natural resources found in the state have played a key role in both America’s economy and its geopolitical standing.
Alaska’s transfer marked the end of Russia’s hopes to expand its presence on the Pacific coast. It also set the stage for the US to rise as a major player in the Asia-Pacific region, a shift that would help shape global politics for years to come.
Today, Alaskans celebrate October 18 as Alaska Day, honoring the historic moment every year. And while the U.S. and Russia may now be neighbors separated by just 2.4 miles of water in the Bering Strait, that original deal still holds weight. Some Russian officials, like Sergey Aksyonov, have even said that if Russia had kept Alaska, the global balance of power might look a lot different today.
