How Alaska Became a US State

Humans have always had the urge to explore and go to the most extreme places. One of the most extreme places humans visited was Alaska, a land of icy glaciers, rugged mountains, and woolly mammoths. Alaska was home to different tribes over time but was always considered a frontier to human resilience.

The Native Alaskans, the first inhabitants of Alaska, journeyed there approximately 15,000 years ago. During the last glacial era, Siberia and Alaska were connected by a frozen land bridge, allowing these intrepid people to migrate. They hunted mammoths, fished in frigid waters, and carved out life amidst the snow and ice. Two groups of Eskimo tribes, the Yup'ik and Inupiat, established their homes there.

In the 18th century, Russian explorers reached Alaska, attracted by the valuable fur of the region's abundant sea otters. However, Russia's control over Alaska was short-lived. In 1867, due to financial difficulties, Russia decided to sell Alaska to the United States for a mere $7.2 million in gold, approximately 2 cents per acre at today’s dollars. The discovery of gold and oil in subsequent years transformed this purchase into one of the best financial decisions made by the U.S. Yet, at the time, the acquisition was mocked as "Seward's Icebox," a moniker named after Secretary of State William H. Seward, who spearheaded the purchase.

From the early tribes venturing across a colossal ice bridge in search of a new home to the Americans undertaking lengthy voyages to prospect for gold and oil, Alaska stands as a testament to humanity's relentless quest for new frontiers. Its icy peaks, turbulent rivers, and expansive tundra represent not just a landscape but a challenge. They beckon us to explore, to strive, to triumph. It is in our nature to be explorers, always drawn toward the horizon.

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