As part of 77 WABC’s countdown to America’s 250th birthday, we look back at one of the most consequential land deals in U.S. history.
On March 30, 1867, the United States agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia.
Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiated the deal, securing the vast territory for $7.2 million—roughly two cents per acre.
At the time, critics mocked the purchase as “Seward’s Folly,” questioning the value of the remote land. But those criticisms would fade as Alaska proved rich in natural resources, including gold, oil, and fisheries.
Beyond its resources, Alaska would also become strategically vital for national defense and global positioning.
Today, it stands as the largest state in the country—its acquisition now widely viewed as a visionary move that reshaped the future of the United States.
This story is part of 77 WABC’s “This Day in History” series, marking the countdown to America’s 250th birthday—honoring the moments, milestones, and events that shaped the nation.
