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Dutch Harbor in April
Photograph by Harley D. Nygren |
America's last frontier.
On March 30, 1867,
the United States agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million dollars, about two cents an
acre; "Seward's Folly" many called it, after Secretary of State William H.
Seward. A
check
for $7,200,000.00 was issued on August 1, 1868 and made payable to Edouard de Stoeckl,
the Russian Minister to the United States.
On January 3, 1959,
Alaska, with a land mass larger than Texas, California and Montana combined, became the
49th state in the union. It is a large state, 1/5 the size of all the other states
together, reaching so far to the west that the International Date Line had to be bent
to keep the state all in the same day. It's also the only U.S. state extending into the
Eastern Hemisphere.
In Alaska, the
"family car" has wings, vegetables and fruit grow to two times their normal
size and moose interrupt golf games when they feel like it.
THE NAME:
The name "Alaska" was used by the Russians to refer only to the peninsula. This name was used by the
United States to refer, first to the entire territory, and then, to the State after its purchase in 1867.
The name "Alaska" is taken from the Aleut word "aláxsxaq" that refers to an object to
which the sea is directed, in this case the Alaska peninsula and mainland. This is sometimes loosely translated
as "great land."
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport,
Connecticut - 2001 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Last Frontier: Alaska, admitted as the 49th state to the union is thought of as "America's Last
Frontier" because of its distance from the lower 48 states and because of its rugged landscape and climate.
This remote and rugged perception is evidenced by the fact that only about 1/3 of the state has been organized into
political units; 13 boroughs (similar to counties) are defined.
Land of the Midnight Sun: This nickname refers to Alaska's northern locations where, for a period of time,
in the summer, the sun never completely dips below the horizon. The sun is visible at midnight. Parts of Alaska
are bathed in 24 hours of daylight. In Barrow, the sun doesn't set for 84 days. For more information about the
extremes of Alaska days and nights, visit this page maintained by the Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development.
Seward's Folly: When the agreement to purchase the Alaska territory from Russia was struck in 1867
by Secretary of State William H. Seward, there were many in the lower 48 states, who looked upon the deal with
skepticism and were critical of the secrecy that had surrounded it and of the high price tag. Though Seward finalized
agreement with Russia in March, it was a long and bitter battle to get final Congressional approval for the purchase
and then get Congress to approve the money for the purchase. During this period, critics of Seward's agreement to
purchase the Alaska territory from Russia called the plan referred to the plan as
"Seward's Folly." Congress, finally
relented and on October 18, 1867, in Sitka, the Imperial Russian Flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes
was raised.
Seward's Ice Box: The is a derisive name given to the Alaska territory during the battle between
Secretary of State William H. Seward and the United States Congress over the purchase of the land from Russia.
Other satirical names were "Icebergia," "Polaria," and "Walrussia." Critics of the purchase also chastised the
President of the United State, Andrew Johnson, by referring to the Alaska territory as "Johnson's Polar Bear Garden."
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 2001
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THE CITIZENS:
People who live in Alaska or who come from Alaska are called Alaskans. |
THE QUARTER:
The image to the left is the "obverse" side of all 50 States Quarters and features a portrait of George Washington.
The State Quarter designs are displayed on the "reverse" side of the quarter.
The Alaska State Quarter has not been released yet. It's due in 2008.
For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page.
This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters.
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