Tomorrow's Alaska Day, good thing I had the day off anyway.

Yet another holiday that I'm not sure of what spurred it on. Good thing for Wikipedia, or I would completely be shaming my Alaska history teacher (I think it was Mrs. Selby). I may not remember these facts, but I'm a heck of a Googler. I always thought Alaska Day was commemorating when we finally became a state, regardless of the shipping companies' ideas that we *are* still a foreign country. But no, it was when we officially became a territory, Seward's Day marks the day the deal was struck with Russia. Big goings on in Sitka, parades and flag raising, be a good time to visit there... like Crab Fest with fewer people you recognize, but surprisingly more that you do.

Alaska Day is a legal holiday in the U.S. state of Alaska, observed on October 18. It is the anniversary of the formal transfer of the Territory of Alaska from Russia to the United States which took place at a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka on October 18, 1867.

Alaska Day is legally observed statewide, and is a paid holiday for State of Alaska employees. The official celebration is held in Sitka, where schools release students early, many businesses close for the day, and events such as a parade and reenactment of the flag raising are held.

It should not be confused with Seward's Day, the last Monday in March which marks the signing of the treaty for the Alaska Purchase in which the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia on March 30, 1867.

Although the territory was sold to the U.S. in March, it was not until the 18th of October that year that the Commissioners arrived in Sitka and the formal transfer was arranged. The original ceremony included 250 uniformed U.S. soldiers, who marched to the Governor's house in Sitka at "Castle Hill", where the transfer was made. It was here that the Russian troops lowered the Russian flag and the U.S. flag was raised.

The official account of the affair as presented by General Lovell Rousseau to Secretary of State William H. Seward continues: "... The troops being promptly formed, were, at precisely half past three o'clock, brought to a 'present arms', the signal given to the Ossipee... which was to fire the salute, and the ceremony was begun by lowering the Russian flag... The United States flag... was properly attached and began its ascent, hoisted by my private secretary [and son], George Lovell Rousseau, and again salutes were fired as before, the Russian water battery leading off. The flag was so hoisted that in the instant it reached its place the report of the big gun of the Ossipee reverberated from the mountains around... Captain Pestchouroff stepped up to me and said, 'General Rousseau, by authority from his Majesty the Emperor of Russia, I transfer to the United States the Territory of Alaska' and in a few words I acknowledged the acceptance of the transfer, and the ceremony was at an end."

(From Wikipedia.)

Off in fantasy land, I wonder what it would be like here if it was still Russia. Somehow I doubt my family would have immigrated north had that been the case. (Would have had to actually get passports... yeah, so much for witness protection.) Even better curiosity would be if Shelikof and his men never wandered this way in the first place, would Alaska be a completely native country?

At least Alaska Day makes more sense than Columbus Day, a day to honor a conqueror and enslaver of innocent tribes. I've got to say, the level of human corruption these days isn't a drop in the barrel to some of the acts that have been cannonized throughout history.