This Week In Alaska History: US Purchases Alaska from Russia for $7.2 Million

A Great Week In The History Of The Great Land 6/20-6/27

June 20, 1867: U.S. President Andrew Johnson Announces Alaska Purchase

US Treasury Warrant for $7.2 Million Payable to Russia

President Andrew Johnson formally announced the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, a pivotal moment in American expansion known as “Seward’s Folly.” This acquisition added 586,412 square miles to the United States, setting the stage for Alaska’s development as a territory and eventual statehood.

June 21, 1905: Midnight Sun Baseball Game Tradition Begins in Fairbanks

The 120th Annual Midnight Sun Game Happens 6.20.25

The first recorded Midnight Sun Baseball Game was played in Fairbanks, establishing a unique Alaskan tradition that celebrates the summer solstice with a game under natural light at 10:30 p.m. This event, hosted by the Alaska Goldpanners since 1960, has become a cultural hallmark, drawing locals and visitors to experience Alaska’s endless summer daylight.

June 22, 1942: Japanese Forces Bomb Dutch Harbor in World War II

Buildings burning after the first Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor

During World War II, Japanese aircraft bombed Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island, marking a significant attack on Alaskan soil during the Aleutian Islands Campaign. The raid, part of Japan’s broader strategy, killed 43 people and prompted a robust U.S. military response in the region.

June 23, 1912: Novarupta Eruption Continues, Largest Volcanic Event of the 20th Century

Novarupta eruption was larger than Krakatau: Illustration from National Parks Service

Valley of 10,000 Smokes

Lava dome marking the vent of the 1912 eruption

The massive eruption of Novarupta in Alaska, which began on June 6, continued to impact the region with heavy ashfall, blanketing areas like Katmai village. This eruption, the largest of the 20th century, reshaped the Alaskan landscape and created the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.

June 24, 1741: Vitus Bering’s Expedition Sights Alaska

Soviet stamp depicting the Bering voyage

Danish explorer Vitus Bering, leading a Russian expedition, sighted Alaska’s mainland, marking one of the earliest documented European encounters with the region. This exploration laid the groundwork for Russian colonization and eventual territorial claims in Alaska.

June 25, 1896: Klondike Gold Rush Sparks Begin with Early Discoveries

Prospectors with supplies at the Chilkoot Pass

Early gold discoveries near the Klondike region, though officially recognized later in August, began attracting prospectors to Alaska and the Yukon, setting off the Klondike Gold Rush. This event transformed Alaska’s economy and population, drawing thousands to the region in search of fortune.

The S/S Excelsior leaves San Francisco on July 28, 1897, for the Klondike

June 26, 1959: Alaska Statehood Bill Advances in U.S. Congress

Bob Bartlett and Ernest Gruening hold the 49 star U.S. Flag after the admission of Alaska as the 49th state

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Alaska Statehood Bill, a critical step toward Alaska’s admission as the 49th state on January 3, 1959. This legislative milestone followed decades of advocacy and marked Alaska’s transition from a territory to full statehood.

June 27, 1940: Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Field Activated Near Anchorage

3rd Wing "change of command" ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in 2022

Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Field (now Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) were activated near Anchorage, bolstering U.S. military presence in Alaska during World War II. These bases became vital for defense and logistics in the region, shaping Anchorage’s growth as a strategic hub.

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