In 1959, Alaska Officially Became the 49th U.S. State.

In 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th U.S. state. Today, covering about 1.72 million square kilometers (663,300 square miles), it remains the largest state in the United States.

Did you know Russia sold Alaska to the United States because it was becoming too difficult and expensive to maintain?

Back in the 19th century, Alaska was part of the Russian Empire. However, it was thousands of miles from Russia’s main population centers, making it difficult to supply and defend. The sea otter fur trade, one of the region’s main sources of income, had also declined significantly.

After the Crimean War (1853–1856), Russia was facing financial difficulties and worried that Britain might seize Alaska in a future war, especially since British-controlled territory in Canada lay right next door. Rather than risk losing the territory, Russia decided to sell it to the United States.

Fun fact: In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million—that’s roughly 2 cents per acre!

At the time, many Americans questioned whether the deal was worth it. Some critics even called it “Seward’s Folly,” mocking Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the purchase.

But the critics didn’t have the last laugh! Over time, Alaska proved to be incredibly valuable thanks to its rich deposits of gold, oil, and other natural resources.