OK Folks,
50 years ago, President Eisenhower signed the bill that admitted Alaska into the United States from its former status as a territory 50 years ago today.
And what a history it has been for #49, we spent out first 15,000 years without much western influence to speak of. In 1741 Vitus Bering showed up under the Russian flag. Russian colonialization progressed largely slowly with a focus on the fur trade.
In 1867 the United States "purchased" Alaska for $7.2million or roughly 2 cents and acre.
In the late 1800s the first gold rush in the region happened.
It wasnt until WWII and the Japanese occuption of 3 of the Aleutian Islands that were subsequently and eventually forced off those islands at the cost of thousands of lives during WWII was Alaska discussed seriously in terms of becoming a State.
All the while gold and other mineral production increased, especially copper. While fisheries flourished, and the cold war loomed, Alaska became a state.
It wasnt until the late 60s did the petroleum resource become understood and the 70s saw a huge boom in Alaska as a result. With the development of the north slope oil fields and construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
Now many place in Alaska are modern communities and are active in not only Alaskan, but American politics, with an eye to the global economy.
What a distance what "Sewards Folly" has come. While this is a big deal here at home, I hope you all will join me in wishing the State of Alaska a big happy 50 and another 500 years to come.
50 years ago, President Eisenhower signed the bill that admitted Alaska into the United States from its former status as a territory 50 years ago today.
And what a history it has been for #49, we spent out first 15,000 years without much western influence to speak of. In 1741 Vitus Bering showed up under the Russian flag. Russian colonialization progressed largely slowly with a focus on the fur trade.
In 1867 the United States "purchased" Alaska for $7.2million or roughly 2 cents and acre.
In the late 1800s the first gold rush in the region happened.
It wasnt until WWII and the Japanese occuption of 3 of the Aleutian Islands that were subsequently and eventually forced off those islands at the cost of thousands of lives during WWII was Alaska discussed seriously in terms of becoming a State.
All the while gold and other mineral production increased, especially copper. While fisheries flourished, and the cold war loomed, Alaska became a state.
It wasnt until the late 60s did the petroleum resource become understood and the 70s saw a huge boom in Alaska as a result. With the development of the north slope oil fields and construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
Now many place in Alaska are modern communities and are active in not only Alaskan, but American politics, with an eye to the global economy.
What a distance what "Sewards Folly" has come. While this is a big deal here at home, I hope you all will join me in wishing the State of Alaska a big happy 50 and another 500 years to come.
