Alaska Sold for Two Cents an Acre

On October 18, 1867, Alaska formally changed hands in Sitka. The price was $7.2 million, which works out to less than two cents an acre.

Critics called the deal Seward's Folly and said Alaska was an icebox. Then came the Yukon gold.

Watch the short: https://youtu.be/joAcPQHg84w

Sources:

• U.S. State Department: Alaska purchase

• National Park Service: American flag raising site

• National Archives: check for the purchase of Alaska

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