Interesting Facts about the History of ALASKA ***

History of Alaska

Facts About

Facts about the History of Alaska History - 1700's

1741 July 15 Aleksei Chirikov and Vitus Bering Expedition discover Alaska
1756 - 1763 - The Seven Years War (French and Indian War) due to disputes over land is won by Great Britain. France gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the English in return for Cuba.
1776 Captain James Cook of England searches for Northwest Passage
1775 - 1783 - The American Revolution creates the United States of America. The Revolution was due to the British burden of taxes and total power to legislate any laws governing the American colonies

July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence
July 10, 1778 - France declares war against Britain and makes an alliance with the American revolutionary forces
September 3, 1783 - The Treaty of Paris is signed by the victorious United States and the defeated Great Britain
1784 First Russian settlement established at Three Saints Bay on Kodiak Island

Facts about the History of Alaska History - The Early 1800's
- 1812 - 1815 - The War of 1812 between U.S. and Great Britain, ended in a stalemate but confirmed America's Independence
- 1823 President James Monroe, seeking to prevent European intervention, issues the Monroe Doctrine
- 1861 Gold is discovered in Alaska
- 1861 - 1865 The American Civil War. In 1859 John Brown raided Harpers Ferry and set in motion events that led directly to the outbreak of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president and in 1861 the South Secedes. The initial Secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of the American Civil War. The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy.
- 1865 December 6 - The Abolishment of Slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified, thus officially abolishing slavery
- 1867 The territory was purchased from Russia for $7,200,000 and was known as Seward's Folly (after Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the purchase) until gold was discovered
- 1898-1901 The Spanish American War. On December 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris the US annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines.
- 1903 Alaska-Canada border is settled
- January 3, 1959Alaska was admitted to the Union - January 3, 1959
Origin of the name
- Named after the Aleut word "Alyeska," meaning "great land."