When is Seward's Day?
Seward's Day is a legal state holiday observed in Alaska, USA. It is celebrated on the last Monday in March.
History of Seward's Day
Alaska day commemorates the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty on March 30th 1867. It is named after the Secretary of State William H. Seward at that time, who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Czarist Russia.
Settling first in the Aleutian Islands and Kodiak, the territory was known as Russian America. The capital was Sitka, known as Novo Arkhangelsk to the Westerners.
The cost of the purchase at that time was $7 million. While that might seem comparatively cheap today to buy an area roughly one-fifth of the size of the rest of the USA, Seward received a lot of criticism for the deal, which was seen as a waste of money.
Despite the misgivings, the treaty was ratified by the Senate (by one vote) on April 9th 1867 and the formal transfer of control took place on 18 October of that year. This formal transfer is marked by Alaska Day, which is also a legal holiday in Alaska.
As Seward's Day is a paid holiday for all state employees, all state, county and city government offices will close, along with most schools and libraries. Private businesses can close at their discretion. The US Post Office will be open as will most banks and public transport will operate on nearly normal schedules.
Did you know?
Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined (more than 34,000 miles).
Alaska day was declared a holiday in 1917 by Alaska's territorial legislature.
