Happy Alaska Day, MRAKers! Today commemorates the official transfer ceremony solidifying America’s purchase of the Alaskan territories from the Russian Empire. On October 18, 1867, U.S. Army troops raised the American flag on Castle Hill in Sitka and lowered the Russian flag.
This formal transfer occurred nearly half a year after Seward signed the Alaska Purchase on March 30, 1867. The U.S. purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire for $7.2 million or 2 cents an acre (equivalent to $158 million or 44 cents an acre today).
The Alaska State Legislature adopted Oct 18 or “Alaska Day” as a state holiday in 1917. In 2021, Governor Dunleavy issued an Executive Proclamation reinforcing the observance of this holiday.
In celebration, Sitka hosts an annual Alaska Day Festival chock full of music, traditional dances, sales, cook-offs, auctions, races, variety shows and other fun activities. The theme for the 2025 Alaska Day Festival is “Mushers & Medicine: The Serum Run.” Activities began last Saturday, Oct 11, and culminates today with the fantastic Alaska Day Parade followed by the flag-raising reenactment ceremony this afternoon. On Friday night, Sitka hosted its long-loved Alaska Day Ball with music by Fort Wainwright’s 9th Army Band. Participants could either rent traditional 1860s dresses or wear their favorite formal outfits.
Alaska Day offers Alaskans an opportunity to unite and celebrate our great state and the freedoms we enjoy as part of the United States of America.
