On what date did the United States formally acquire Alaska from Russia?

The United States formally acquired Alaska from Russia on October 18, 1867.

The purchase treaty had been signed in Washington on March 30, 1867, but the territorial transfer occurred months later at Sitka. The United States paid Russia $7.2 million, a price that worked out to roughly 2 cents per acre. Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiated the agreement for President Andrew Johnson’s administration.

The transfer ceremony took place on October 18, which is now observed as Alaska Day. Russian and American officials attended as the Russian flag was lowered and the United States flag was raised. The territory was initially administered by the military, followed by several other federal authorities.

Many Americans mocked the purchase at first, calling it “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox.” Gold discoveries and later oil and mineral resources helped change public perceptions. Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959, nearly 92 years after the transfer.